  This paper investigates mechanisms for scaling participation in participatory
design (PD). Specifically, the paper focuses on managed communities, one
strategy of generification work. We first give a brief introduction on the
issue of scaling in PD, followed by exploring the strategy of managed
communities in PD. This exploration is underlined by an ongoing case study in
the healthcare sector, and we propose solutions to observed challenges. The
paper ends with a critical reflection on the possibilities managed communities
offer for PD. Managed communities have much to offer beyond mere generification
work for large-scale information systems, but we need to pay attention to core
PD values that are in danger of being sidelined in the process.
