What we do

We help people to deal with complex problems

People worldwide are dealing with complex problems that diminish or threaten their capacity to live full and healthy lives in balance with nature. Before problems can be addressed they need to be acknowledged, defined, and, if possible, the root cause identified. Optias employs a variety of techniques and activities designed to identify, scope and define complex problems:

  • Formal workshops – More than a decade ago, the Victorian Government adopted the Investment Logic Map system developed initially by Jeremy Smart. This system defines problems that are to be addressed by government budget allocations. It is used by all Victorian agencies, and by the Queensland, Western Australian and New Zealand governments.
  • Fishbone analysis – this process is used as part of the Investment Logic Map or as a standalone technique and is designed to identify the root causes of problems.
  • Second Track participation – Optias is a participant in the GAP second track program, participating in programs on health and food security.
  • Research – Optias has very strong research capability, supported by data and statistical analysis, to generate insights that can be used to define complex problems.

Planning

Implementing

From high level strategic plans to change the direction of an organisation, through to lower level business cases to determine the need for an investment, Optias has been involved across the board. We have developed our own, stakeholder-centric process for strategic planning designed to ensure broad support for new directions. We have developed our own systems and resources wich we have applied to more than 65 business cases with a total investment of more than $5 billion. We ensure a sound evidence base for all planning and we use novel approaches, platforms and data sources to measure the social, environmental and economic impacts of investments.

Optias contimues its involvement in projects through implementation to benefits realisation. We can support tender development, governance and project management. We can undertake performance aaudits based on our experience in gateway processes.