What are Solutions "LABS"?
A “LAB” in this context is a trending name for an end-to-end facilitated system-wide process of exploring a challenge, ideating solutions, and testing those ideas to see ‘what works’. It’s like a pop-up container and methodology for working together on a people-centred problem over time.
You can likely picture a scientist's lab – a place scientists conduct research on scientific questions about how things work, and then run experiments to find solutions to problems – e.g. the discovery of penicillin to kill bacteria, how cancer cells work, or ways that work to edit genomes.
In the social sphere, a lab is a process of researching and conducting experiments on complex social challenges: How to end human trafficking? How to transition to a sustainable society? How to ensure all Canadians have access to affordable housing?
It’s different than a traditional way of doing things because we create space to blow up problems, assumptions, hierarchies and power structures, find different resources, see things differently, and work across teams, organizations, and sectors. As these challenges are complex, the answers are unclear, we need multiple perspectives and experiences to get closer to the truth of the matter.
An effective LAB needs to have different tools and methods to do effective research and make discoveries, and the time and space to actually conduct experiments WITH stakeholders in the current system.
The term “MACRO LABS” refers to longer term processes and experiments on big questions, while “MICRO LABS” are shorter term research and experiments that look at smaller questions, or particular parts of the process - e.g. just unpacking a problem, or only ideating or evaluating - often within the Macro Labs).
Some of the Lab questions we've worked on:
We design, launch, and operate Macro and Micro Labs that create spaces to address complex social questions.
How might we ignite community investment in non-market housing?
How might we effectively house youth who are, or are at risk of being, involved in the justice-system?
What do we need to do to improve product stewardship across the lifecycle of PVC, within a context of sustainable development?
How might we develop better housing solutions for autistic adults?
Who Are Labs For?
Complex challenges exist across societal sectors and within many industries. Solutions labs are a specific and structured approach useful to diverse groups of stakeholders wishing to ensure multiple perspectives are heard in the process of devising solutions.
We work with clients to build a “safe zone” in which we articulate the problem, question assumptions, co-develop ideas, prototype and test solutions together.
Our Lab Philosophy
Whether you're starting fresh or reworking something that’s stuck, we design around your context, constraints, and goals. Our services are tailored to meet the needs of:
Whole-System Representation
Find solutions that work in a system, that entire system needs to be somehow represented in the room. We map the system you are working in to see who needs to be engaged.
User-Centred Design
Solutions must centre around the experience of person who is going to be using it / impacted by it.
Solutions Ownership
When we come up with solutions, the people or organizations that would play a key role in actually making it happen – must be in the room. Without their buy-in early on, actual implementation doesn’t generally happen.
Sample Lab Process:
Case Study: Transforming Procurement Through Design Thinking
A federal department had issued two unsuccessful RFPs for a complex digital solution. Despite clear technical requirements, bids were either non-compliant or failed to meet user needs. Industry feedback pointed to unclear objectives, rigid specifications, and missed opportunities for innovation.
What We Did:
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Facilitated a discovery sprint with procurement, policy, operations, and IT teams to align on the real problem and desired outcomes
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Conducted user research and journey mapping to understand how internal users experience the process
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Engaged suppliers through early market sounding and co-design sessions to explore barriers to participation—particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
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Used iterative prototyping to rewrite the Statement of Work, shifting from rigid specifications to outcome-based language
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Supported the design and facilitation of a multi-stage agile procurement process, including an Invitation to Refine phase with vendor collaboration
Results:
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Aligned cross-functional team on a shared procurement strategy rooted in user and business needs
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Reduced ambiguity and increased clarity for industry on what was being bought—and why
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Encouraged innovation by creating space for vendors to propose solutions, not just respond to specs
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Enabled prototyping and testing in the target environment before full-scale deployment, ensuring solutions delivered on what was promised during the procurement process
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Successfully awarded the contract to a qualified vendor, with strong participation from both large and small firms
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Built internal capacity to replicate agile procurement approaches in future initiatives
