Codesign
Codesign is a powerful way to bring diverse stakeholders together to share information and perspectives and to collaborate in solving complex challenges within fairly short periods of time. We are highly experienced with codesign and have delivered 100+ workshops over the last five years. Most of our projects include codesign workshops as an inherent part of our approach. We have a well developed codesign methodology, and a national network of specialists to support delivery. The workshops are highly engaging and creative, and are designed collaboratively with you. We can conduct them over a few hours or a few days, in city or regional locations or online.
Project Examples
Fight MND, Global research roundtable 2024 – designed and delivered a two day roundtable in Melbourne which for the first time brought together leading Motor Neurone Disease researchers to meet, share insights and develop a strategy for global collaboration to accelerate impact (2024)
Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action, Victorian Wine Industry Strategy – development of a strategy for the wine industry in Victoria cooperatively for the Victorian Government and Wine Victoria, including extensive consultation and a series of codesign workshops across wine regions, an online forum with First Peoples and a major workshop with key industry and government stakeholder to codevelop the strategy (2024-25)
University of Melbourne, Research Roundtable – designed and delivered a codesign workshop with senior executives from three Victorian Government Departments and key researchers from the Faculty of Business and Economics to explore research challenges and capabilities (2024)
Engagement
Effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders is a critical part of solving complex challenges, and is an important part of most of our projects. We draw upon a range of tools and techniques including stakeholder and issues mapping, engagement plans, interviews, surveys, submission processes, forums and roundtables. We work both online and in person. We have experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, including regional communities, First Peoples, multicultural communities and people with disabilities.
Project Examples
Geoscience Australia, stakeholder engagement strategy – developed and implemented a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy for the Repository Data Management & Delivery (RPMD) project, a proposed digital platform for sharing GA’s information resources. Included interviews, a survey, online and in person forums, and journey mapping using key user personas (2024)
Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games RAP – development of a draft Reconciliation Action Plan for the Commonwealth Games based on engagement with six regional aboriginal communities. Included research, interviews, and forums. Our team included Indigenous consultants from our national network (2023)
Fight MND, Impact framework – development of a framework to measure and communicate impact to key stakeholder groups. Included extensive engagement with internal and external stakeholders including interviews and a series of codesign workshops (2023)
First Nations
We have worked very successfully with First Nations organisations and communities on a wide range of projects. A key element of our approach is using our national network of First Nations consultants as an integral part of our teams. Engagement is more effective when First Nations consultants are involved. Better solutions are developed when First Nations peoples are involved in the research and analysis. We have a well developed set of principles and protocols for First Nations engagement, developed in collaboration with our First Nations consultants. We have experience in designing and delivering codesign workshops aligned with First Nations preferences. We are proud of our reputation for making a difference for First Nations communities, including undertaking pro bono projects for First Nations organisations.
Project Examples
Department of Jobs Skills Industry and Regions (Vic), Albury-Wodonga Aboriginal Community Plan – development of business cases and feasibility studies for three priority initiatives under the plan focussed on cross border community governance, aged care and an education and economic hub. Included extensive consultation and a series of codesign workshops (2022-23)
First Nations Assembly, Treaty Day Out – evaluation of an event in Naarm in 2023 which celebrated Indigenous culture, showcased Indigenous talent while furthering self-determination and treaty (2023)
City of Melbourne, Aboriginal economic development strategy – development of a strategy for the city to increase employment and economic inclusion for Aboriginal people and businesses (2021-22)
Strategy
In a complex and rapidly changing world, having a clear idea of where you are going and how you are going to get there is critical to success. We have worked collaboratively with clients and their stakeholders to develop strategies for organisations and whole industries, or for aspects of a business such as digital, research and financial sustainability strategies.
Project Examples
Spirits Victoria Association, Victorian Spirits Industry Strategy - development of a strategy for the spirits industry in Victoria cooperatively for the Victorian Government, including extensive consultation, a series of codesign workshops across the state, and on online First Peoples forum (2024-25)
University of Melbourne, Digital Strategy – developed a digital strategy for Faculty of Business and Economics covering teaching and learning, research and administration, with a 10 year horizon. Included stakeholder interviews and a codesign workshop
City of Yarra, Financial sustainability review – a strategic review of the financial sustainability of the City including development of options for action, included a series of codesign workshops (2022)
Policy and programs
Understanding the purpose of government policies and programs, what design might best achieve that purpose, how they actually work in practice including feedback from key stakeholders, and how they could be monitored and measured are all important aspects in creating public value. We have worked on reviews and evaluations of a range of government policies and programs, including research, analysis and stakeholder engagement.
Project Examples
VicHealth, Regional Sports – development of financial sustainability plans and a performance framework for nine Regional Sports Assemblies across regional Victoria, including codesign workshops in each region and statewide (2023-24)
Department of Premier and Cabinet, Closing The Gap Partnership Forum – independent review of Closing the Gap expenditure in Victoria and development of strategy options for reprioritising expenditure. Included a codesign workshop (2023)
Creative Partnerships Australia – evaluations of Creative Partnerships Australia’s two matched fundraising programs, MATCHLab for independent artists, and Plus1 for arts organisations (2021-23)
Organisation and governance
To be effective, organisations need to align their governance, structures and operating models with their strategy. We have advised governments. universities and community organisations on how organisational aspects can best align with purpose, manage risk and complexity, and help create value.
Project Examples
Monash University, Joint Working Model for Digital Research Support – a review of the joint working model to apply between eResearch and eSolutions to provide digital support for Monash researchers. Included research, consultations, national and international models, co-design workshops and a report outlining a framework for the joint working model and key recommendation for action (2022)
Commonwealth Government, Government Consulting Unit – developed a concept paper on establishing a government consulting unit, including interviews and an expert workshop. The outcome was a Budget announcement to establish the unit, which is now operating successfully (2022)
Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions, Aboriginal Economic Development Branch Review – conducted an organisational review of the newly formed Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) branch. Included internal and external consultations and a codesign workshop to develop a structure and strategy for the branch (2021-22)
Business cases and feasibility studies
Investment decisions are made on the basis of business cases and feasibility studies which in the public and community sectors are underpinned by theories of change and investment logic mapping. We have advised organisations in the public and community sectors on investment decisions which includes consideration of financial and risk issues alongside the creation of wider public value.
Project Examples
Department of Premier and Cabinet (Vic), Indian Community Centre – development of a business case for the establishment of an Indian Community Centre in Geelong, including a community codesign workshop (2024)
Department of Jobs Skills Industry and Regions (Vic), Albury-Wodonga Aboriginal Community Plan – development of business cases and feasibility studies for three priority initiatives under the plan focussed on cross border community governance, aged care and an education and economic hub. Included extensive consultation and a series of codesign workshops (2022-23)
City of Melbourne, First Nations Precinct – led the development of a feasibility study on the establishment of a FNP in the city including a cultural centre, an innovation hub, a community centre and Indigenous businesses (2020-22)
Economics and regulation
Economic impact and cost benefit analysis, and market and regulatory analysis are key tools for policy analysis. We have used economic tools and frameworks across many aspects of our work, including in understanding the economic impact of industries, designing regulatory reforms and helping to support decision making amongst complex options.
Project Examples
Department of Treasury and Finance, Streamlining Liquor Approvals – a fast track review of the regulatory and compliance requirements facing Victoria’s live music venues. Including facilitating collaboration between Victorian regulators to agree on policy reform options (2024)
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, economic impact – an analysis of the economic impact of the industry including a member survey (2021-22)
BHP – economic and risk analysis of a global business function including assessment of a range of alternative strategies (2020-21)
