The following paper aims to establish a strategic understanding of design by examining different approaches to quantify the value design can add in a business context. The approach of strategic design is based on the understanding of design as an integral part of the corporate strategy which can be derived from corporate culture as well as from a firms’ mission. The paper intends to contribute to the subject of what economic value design creates for companies. Therefore, systematic approaches of how to quantify the value design may add in a business context have been juxtaposed with six structured in-depth expert interviews with firms from different sizes and branches in order to gather individual perceptions on the role of design in management. The study examines, how can a strategic understanding of design be established in a business context and to what extent does this lead to an added economic value.