LÜTZENKIRCHEN, Sylke. Discovering the Real Needs of the Client-possibilities of grounded theory in design processes. Revista D: Desgin, Educação, Sociedade e Sustentabilidade, 19 th DMI: Academic Design Management Conference Design Management in an Era of Disruption., 2015. Editora UniRitterLaureateInternationalUniversities 2015 © Todos os direitos reservados. ABSTRACT As service providers for SMEs, designers usually have to adapt to various needs when working in cooperation with different clients. However, these needs and requirements are often not transparent and cannot be determined in a structured way. In this investigation, data is collected through narrative interviews, which often reveal information the interviewees themselves are unaware of. Furthermore, grounded theory will be discussed as a possible basis for a profound, empirical research method that is also applicable to the field of design. The present contribution analyzes the fields of 'motivation for change', 'communication structure' and 'project management'. On the basis of these three fields, various forms of cooperation among designers and clients will be described and compared. Research questions considered are: What kind of designer best fits the requirements of a company? Do entrepreneurs need a visionary leader or a structured realist for their tasks? Do designers need the leadership qualities of a team player or rather of a steersman? Do companies need designers to act as psychologists or educators? A concluding overview/summary will describe different characteristics of designer skills in relation to job requirements-all excerpted from the empirical field study.