Solutions labs

What are Solutions Labs?

A “Lab” in this context is an end-to-end process of exploring a challenge, proposing solutions, and experimenting with those ideas to see what works.

In our sphere of work, a lab is a process of researching and conducting experiments on social challenges:

How can we end human trafficking?
How do we transition our supply sustainable society?
How do we ensure all Canadians have access to affordable housing?
What do we need to do across the supply chain to be fit for the future?

Our Lab Philosophy

We bring a Lab Philosophy of whole-system representation, user-centred design, and solutions ownership to our lab designs.

Whole-System Representation: to 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 the 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 making it happen – must be in the room. Without their buy-in early on, the actual implementation doesn’t generally happen.