Below you’ll find brief descriptions of the core capabilities:

Research
Systemic Thinking
Visual Modeling
Futures Techniques
Complex issues facilitation
Strategies for Change

that enable shiftN to generate insight and value with our clients.  While seemingly eclectic, these capabilities have evolved into their present configuration for a reason; they support and reinforce one another and form a whole.

Research – Clarity in Knowledge

Research has changed dramatically in focus, nature and methodology. Events no longer move slowly enough to be studied through long intellectual assembly lines, with solutions being passed to policy makers at the end of the cycle. To deal with complexity and rapid change, futures research links decision makers and researchers in a closer interactive loop.

In its broad application, research can be used to:

•  document the current situation

•  clarify the assumptions about the future

•  challenge those assumptions with research and scenarios understand the forces creating uncertainty

•  choose the best strategic options in view of possible futures develop a shared responsibility for key strategies

Making best use of the overwhelming amounts of data available requires special skills and expertise - facts and figures are not enough. Data must be used to reveal patterns and structures that are easily understandable and transposable into other contexts.

Using a variety of research methods - interviews, learning journeys, expert contributions, desktop research - shiftN is always on the lookout for new information, not only in the preparation phase, but till the very end of the process. Models and scenarios are continuously refined and, if necessary, reviewed in the light of new research findings.

shiftN has conducted futures research on a wide range of topics for a variety of clients. Experience in scenario planning, strategic innovation and system dynamics modelling, plus a multicultural background and combined skills spanning natural sciences, social sciences and engineering, means that shiftN is well placed carry out complex, multifaceted research projects

Systemic Thinking – Clarity in Thought

Systemic thinking is the backbone of shiftN’s approach. Though not always explicit, much of our approach to projects comes from years of being immersed in the theory and practice of systemic thinking.

It is the nature of many specialized and segmented professions that people know more and more about less and less.  While this deep expertise is crucial, it can lead to getting stuck when challenged with making sense of how that detailed knowledge fits into a broader context.  As a tool for synthesizing knowledge into robust ‘big pictures’, systemic thinking provides the conceptual framework par excellence. It allows clients to see the familiar in a new light and to better exploit what they already know.

This way of thinking involves a variety of theories, tools, and techniques taken from complex systems science, general systems theory, systems thinking, soft-systems methodology, causal-loop mapping etc.  From this ‘systems toolkit’ one can draw  what is most appropriate to the problem at hand. 

Systemic thinking is not, however, a particular theory or tool; it is a general analytical skill that enables one to break problems into their components and connections.  It is this practical analytic ability – developed over years of practice – that enables shiftN to help clients to see problems in a new and original ways.

While systemic thinking can provide some great constructs and insights, it is not terribly useful on its own.  To exploit the value of systemic thinking we weave it into our visual modelling, facilitation, and futures work.

Visual Modelling  – Clarity in Vision

The unique challenges of complex problems call for unique tools. The affordances of visual representations, in particular their ability to show many objects and relationships at one time, make them an essential tool for dealing with complexity.

The kinds of graphics used in visual modelling are typically not pictures (of physical things) or graphs (of quantitative data). Instead they are diagrammatic conceptual models that map-out the essential elements of the system. As such they are designed to do two things simultaneously:

1) accurately map the structure and behaviour of the system
2) clearly represent the key parts of the system in a meaningful way

Visual modelling is a hybrid discipline that encompasses:

•  Systems Science – and a broad understanding of science, technology, and business

•  Cognitive Science – of visual language, conceptual models, decision-making, social dynamics and communication

•  Graphic Design

The art of building useful visual models lies in combining these disciplines into a unified practice.

In addition to being a tool for understanding, visual models are an effective tool for communication.  We often struggle – using words alone – to convey the structure of complex multidimensional problems, and thus create more confusion than clarity.  Communicating through a combination of words and complementary graphics can greatly decrease the time it takes to convey difficult concepts, and greatly increase the level of understanding and retention by the audience.

Futures Techniques  – Clarity in Change

Futures methodologies are a body of knowledge and practice that can help us to intervene in our environment today in order to influence tomorrow. It is our predicament that we live in a complex, fast-changing environment, and we need tools to come to grips with the fundamental uncertainties driving our world.

shiftN has a long track record in helping decision-makers in business and society all over the world understand the drivers of change, assess opportunities and risks and then find ways to continue to create value in the face of an uncertain future.

Futures studies as a discipline has evolved over many decades and today there is a variety of approaches, ranging from disciplined expert assessments to scenario building to real-time change engaging the whole organisation.

shiftN’s work centres on helping clients to understand and act upon the dominant issues confronting us today: the impact of sustainability, changing patterns in the use of natural resources, emerging business models, developments in science and technology, threats to public health, and global geopolitical and security issues.

Many of these issues require representatives from diverse constituencies to mingle in exciting multi-stakeholder initiatives.  shiftN has taken the lead in organising ambitious collaborative futures projects, bringing stakeholders together around key emerging issues (such as Nutrition & Health 2020, 2025 Fields for Food or Fuel?).  We are passionate about advancing the state-of-the-art in the futures discipline and helping to build new alliances to tackle the great challenges of our times.

Complex Issues Facilitation –  Clarity in Conversation

Exploring and building on diverse perspectives in meetings, workshops and conferences goes over and above basic facilitation skill. It requires a systemic perspective from beginning to end to allow the co-designing of a clear and structured process with an end-goal in mind. At the same time one must assess progress and identify emergent issues so that one is able to adjust the process (still keeping that end-goal in mind) and re-channel energy and maximise insights.

shiftN combines experience, personal styles and passion with theories, processes and tools to help and foster the collective intelligence of a group.  As well as making use of the wide range of tools available shiftN is unique in the way we structure conversations: building specific frameworks, diagrams, maps and other aids tailored to extract maximum learning.  This enables us to find connections between bits and pieces from different sources (e.g. different experts, business units, events, sub-projects or stakeholders) but that together can build a coherent structure.

Harnessing the diversity in conversations and building on what is being shared not only leads to greater insights on the subject matter (avoiding the ‘lowest common denominator trap’) but, most importantly, it creates shared understanding and purpose. 

Shared understanding and purpose increases people’s potential and enthusiasm for creating solutions and pressing on for effective action.  At the end of the day action is what will make the difference.

Strategies for Change –  Clarity in Action

We look at projects with three core steps in mind:

1. Understand the system
2. Anticipate change
3. Change the system

Leaving the last step only to be thought through at the end leads, at best, to a waste of resources.  At worst, to the feeling that the complexity of the issues makes the prospect of finding thorough and long-lasting solutions seem overwhelming.                 

To overcome the difficulties of complexity, good ideas and solutions must ‘hit the ground running’. Taking a broad action-oriented perspective from the start enables one to anticipate and plan for issues such as:

• Areas of project impact - short and long-term (identifying things outside the original scope)

• Sensitive issues that can hinder or block progress (from cultural differences to personal agendas)

• Direct and indirect support needed for project approval and implementation

• Input available from resources not necessarily included in the project team

• Connections, relationships and overlaps (often overlooked or not prioritised at early stages when links are less obvious)

To help recognize and deal with these operational issues, we bring a blend of backgrounds, skills and experiences, from working in business operations, marketing, through to change management, strategy and futures projects.  We combine these with a strong drive for change, while recognizing that change is not an end in itself but is an essential ingredient in helping clients to reach their goals.