Need to know policy skills for the future

It’s becoming increasingly clear that traditional policy-making skills are no longer enough, given the current political, social and technological challenges. Facing a paradox of declining trust and rising citizen expectations, and increasingly complex public policy problems, policy advisers now need to be skilled collaborators, influencers, negotiators, and questioners. These are core skills of human-centred design - involving those impacted by policy implementers, clearly defining the problem and intended outcome, testing options and communicating with influence. 

We have experience helping policy makers in all levels of government to introduce these ways of working. We're well placed to share some of our techniques and experiences, and help people be more effective in their policy advice, development and delivery.

What this workshop will cover

Join us for a day exploring practical tools and new techniques to develop and implement great policy. 

Some specific activities include: 

• Unpack the core elements of great policy opportunities and challenges in light of the APS model for Great Policy Advice developed through the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
• Explore the different sorts of activities you can do, and how you can feel safe to try them within the constraints of your own environment.
• Practice the tools and techniques you’ll need to be successful.
• Hear examples of how policy teams have successfully used these approaches. 
• Hear experiences from people in the room (what works, what doesn’t).
• Develop an actionable plan for your policy problem.

Who should attend

• Policy officers, advisors and implementers all levels of government
• People working alongside policy professionals
• People involved across the policy lifecycle
• Students studying Public Policy

If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact events@meldstudios.com.au.

Why learn from us?

Our expertise is recognised and sought after.

Our work wins prestigious awards. Meld Studios, in collaboration with Queensland Government’s One Stop Strategy and Implementation Office, won the 2018 won the Good Design Award® of the Year for the Growing Human-Centred Design Across Queensland Government project. The 60th Good Design Awards attracted record entries of 536 innovative designs with 269 projects receiving the coveted Good Design Award®. Of these, there were 30 Best in Class Award Winners from which the Good Design Award® of the Year was chosen. Over the past year our people have been invited to speak or deliver workshops across Australia, as well as in Prague, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Bogotá, Bangalore and across the US.

We work with many of Australia’s private and public organisations using Service Design to help them tackle their biggest challenges.

We continually evolve our approach and we love to share what we’ve learned along the way. We use real life examples and encourage others to share their experiences and questions.

About Meld Studios and the workshop team

Meld Studios is an award winning design studio with offices in Sydney and Melbourne. We seek to improve the everyday lives of people as they interact with the world around them. 

We work with agencies and teams at all levels of government on policy and policy-related issues. Our clients include the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Austrade, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, NSW Department of Education, Transport for Victoria, Victorian Department of Premier & Cabinet, the City of Melbourne, City of Sydney and recently the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

What attendees said about our recent workshops

"I loved this 3 day workshop! The team know their stuff, and have inspired me to think more holistically about using HCD principles and techniques. I feel confident I can influence and create change."

"Thanks for a fun and informative introduction to Human Centered Design. Great facilitation and group activities. I really enjoyed the 3 day course."

"So great to see/hear work with optimism and creativity having such meaningful impact in what can otherwise be dry business/gov strategies. Definitely received so many answered to roadblocks in our current customer focus and cultural change. Thank you."

"This is the only service design course I know of that addresses the intersection between tools, socialisation and organisation/of project activities. You nailed it."

"When asked “is there anything from the past 3 days that you think you could apply to your work?” …… I am struggling to think of anything that I won’t apply to work!"

FAQS

Do you tailor and run your courses for organisations?
We can and have done for a number of organisations. Please email us at events@meldstudios.com.au for details.

What if I need to cancel?
Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event. You can also transfer your registration to a colleague.

What are the times for the days?
The workshops start promptly at 9am each day and run through until approximately 4:30/5pm.