%205.svg)
Spark Experimentation with Government of Canada
CLIENT
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA x parsons school of design
design research
ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN
The Government of Canada partnered with Parsons School of Design to develop a strategy for integrating employee-driven experimentation into policy-making and governmental procedures.
OVERVIEW
About the Project
The Canadian government mandated the integration of experimentation into policy-making processes for its employees. However, executives across departments showed resistance to this directive, presenting various reasons for their reluctance to embrace experimentation. Our analysis for project objectives are:
• Identifying and Mitigating Obstacles to Experimentation and Design Thinking in Government Procedures
• Cultivating a Shift in Attitudes Toward Iterative Experimentation in Policy-Making Among Government Personnel
• Identifying and Mitigating Obstacles to Experimentation and Design Thinking in Government Procedures
• Cultivating a Shift in Attitudes Toward Iterative Experimentation in Policy-Making Among Government Personnel
Role
Design Research, Research Synthesis, Design Strategy, Pitch presentation
Timeline
5 Weeks
Methods
Stakeholder interviews, Empathy maps, Journey maps, Persona, Workshops, Ideation
The Challenge
Elevating Experimental Success through Executive Advocacy and Innovation.
The challenge is to overcome executive reservations about experimentation by aligning it with government priorities. We must address their concerns and demonstrate its relevance through a narrative that highlights how experimentation drives progress, simplifies complexities, optimizes resources, and supports ethical decision-making. Our goal is to make experimentation appealing and beneficial to busy executives by directly tying it to their goals.
The Process
Objective
In order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the government of Canada's system, along with its functionalities, our approach to design research is launched with the goal of empowering government of Canada executives by demonstrating how experimentation aligns with their top priorities, leading to smarter investments and improved program effectiveness. Overcome barriers and speak their language to foster engagement in utilizing experimentation as a valuable tool.
INITIAL THINKING
Research Methods
• Interviews - Canadian Government subject matter experts
• Competitive analysis
• Desk Research
• Competitive analysis
• Desk Research
Target Users
• Executive engagement staff of the Canadian Government
• Internal Staff
• Internal Staff
how might we questions
1. How might we engage and support executives in experimentation in a way that resonates and is useful for them?
2. How might we reinforce that experimentation is not new and make executives feel comfortable with failure?
2. How might we reinforce that experimentation is not new and make executives feel comfortable with failure?
user research
Background Research
Research Goals:
- Devising strategies to embed experimentation into the fabric of the Canadian government.
- Overcome barriers and speak their language to foster engagement in utilizing experimentation as a valuable tool.
The experimentation mandate targets organizational transformation by clearing obstacles and resistance to change. It equips both employees and executives with the necessary tools to facilitate and implement this transformation effectively.
Research Goals:
- Devising strategies to embed experimentation into the fabric of the Canadian government.
- Overcome barriers and speak their language to foster engagement in utilizing experimentation as a valuable tool.
The experimentation mandate targets organizational transformation by clearing obstacles and resistance to change. It equips both employees and executives with the necessary tools to facilitate and implement this transformation effectively.
Observations & Interviews
Observations of Existing Systems:
- Complex Management System
- Internal Engagement
Observations of Existing Systems:
- Complex Management System
- Internal Engagement
.jpg)
Interviews
I collaborated with the Canadian Government subject matter experts in the team to understand the core process, their environment, and major tasks to accomplish. We interviewed a few participants and gathered data on their current workflow and major challenges. This data helped us find opportunities to solve the problems.
I collaborated with the Canadian Government subject matter experts in the team to understand the core process, their environment, and major tasks to accomplish. We interviewed a few participants and gathered data on their current workflow and major challenges. This data helped us find opportunities to solve the problems.
research insights
Understanding the User
After conducting interviews and observations, I created user personas with information about their behaviors, technologies used, pain points, and needs.PERSONA
After conducting interviews and observations, I created user personas with information about their behaviors, technologies used, pain points, and needs.PERSONA
affinity diagram
problem space
Research Findings / Pain Points
1. Experimentation is not new. It has always been around
2. Executives are unaware or oblivious to the benefit of evolving their approach
3. Competing demands strap executives with time to prioritize experimentation.
4. Executives are not comfortable with failing
5. Execs feel the need to be "right" or "successful" at all times
6. Executives are uncomfortable with the ambiguity of experimentation
2. Executives are unaware or oblivious to the benefit of evolving their approach
3. Competing demands strap executives with time to prioritize experimentation.
4. Executives are not comfortable with failing
5. Execs feel the need to be "right" or "successful" at all times
6. Executives are uncomfortable with the ambiguity of experimentation
Problem Statement
design goal
Reframing the Problem
How might we engage and support executives on experimentation in a way that resonates and is useful for them?
How might we engage and support executives on experimentation in a way that resonates and is useful for them?
journey mapping
Identifying use case
my proposal
With the empathy I built the research phase, I proposed the following deliverables
.jpg)
- All the identified issues were further mapped based on 3 factor metric to identify the most critical issue
- This was further validated through a future trend analysis at an industry level
- This was further validated through a future trend analysis at an industry level
Strategy
Reframing the System.
- Provide a streamlined decision-making process for executives to experiment with.
- Give Junior Executives a Leadership development opportunity
- The experimentation team actively collaborates with Subject Matter Experts and Junior Executives to explore potential experiments and conduct background research for proposals.
- Incentivize it!
- Give Junior Executives a Leadership development opportunity
- The experimentation team actively collaborates with Subject Matter Experts and Junior Executives to explore potential experiments and conduct background research for proposals.
- Incentivize it!
concept development
As we delved into various ideas, we discovered an exhilarating NHL team game. This inspired us to understand the significance of team players and how leaders can become more resonant and inclusive. We chose this as the foundation for our prototype narrative because of the inspiring strategies, decision-making skills, strengths, collaboration, and regulations demonstrated, as well as the exemplary role of team leadership.
We incorporated real-life scenarios from their journey and strategically designed prototype narratives to test team dynamics under similar conditions. The decisions to be made in the game mirror real-life workplace scenarios.
We incorporated real-life scenarios from their journey and strategically designed prototype narratives to test team dynamics under similar conditions. The decisions to be made in the game mirror real-life workplace scenarios.
the prototype
We developed a variety of concepts for the board design, narrative, with the Canadian Government’s involvement, approach, offerings, and other roadmap elements being integral to our process.
Prototype includes:
- The experimentation team is refining executive presentations, focusing on priorities and wins. The upcoming presentation will feature background research and a strategic execution plan, highlighting the team's contributions aligned with organizational goals.
- Build a frame or pattern plan that is accessible and visible to the executive team.
Prototype includes:
- The experimentation team is refining executive presentations, focusing on priorities and wins. The upcoming presentation will feature background research and a strategic execution plan, highlighting the team's contributions aligned with organizational goals.
- Build a frame or pattern plan that is accessible and visible to the executive team.
reflection
Hockey is known for its teamwork, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
Key Aspects:
• Camaraderie and Collaboration: Hockey showcases the importance of teamwork and collaboration, where individual talents blend to achieve common goals.
• Leadership: The role of team captains and leaders is crucial, demonstrating how effective leadership can inspire and guide a team through challenges.
• Strategic Thinking and Adaptability: Teams employ intricate strategies, from offensive plays to defensive setups, reflecting the importance of planning and adaptability.
• Cultural and Community Impact: The NHL shapes community identities and traditions.
• Community Engagement: NHL teams often engage in community service, charity work, and youth programs, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and growth at grassroots levelsIt is a great way to share voices from different perspectives, address issues as a team, and successfully work towards common goals.
• Leadership: The role of team captains and leaders is crucial, demonstrating how effective leadership can inspire and guide a team through challenges.
• Strategic Thinking and Adaptability: Teams employ intricate strategies, from offensive plays to defensive setups, reflecting the importance of planning and adaptability.
• Cultural and Community Impact: The NHL shapes community identities and traditions.
• Community Engagement: NHL teams often engage in community service, charity work, and youth programs, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and growth at grassroots levelsIt is a great way to share voices from different perspectives, address issues as a team, and successfully work towards common goals.
feedback - presentation
Presenting to the Government of Canada Experimentation Team
"We presented our design strategy to the Government of Canada Experimentation Team experts and received appreciation along with valuable feedback. This feedback enhanced our understanding of the system structure and working elements within the sector."
key takeaway
The key takeaway is that projects are often treated as 'Cold Cases,' centrally organized for potential future revisited. Experimentation plays a crucial role in identifying potential problems within the projects."
.png)
.webp)