Think like an engineer. Make meaningful change.
Civil servants tackle major challenges to deliver change for society.
These challenges are often complex, with wide-reaching and long-term impacts. Thinking like an engineer can help policymakers design solutions that truly deliver for the public. Adopting a systems thinking mindset can lead to better outcomes for society.
What is systems thinking?
Systems thinking makes complexity manageable. Engineers need to understand and manage complexity – it’s their business. They use systems thinking to visualise complexity, identify the most appropriate challenges, design for key stakeholders and interdependencies, and anticipate risks – challenges policymakers also face every day.
With our programmes for teams and individuals, policymakers can learn systems thinking from engineers, enabling them to approach their problems with clarity and make meaningful change.
Policymakers have made big changes after completing our programmes
Our programmes empower policymakers by helping them achieve results on their specific challenges, connecting them with supportive networks of expert engineers, and providing a safe space for experimentation. Policymakers taking part in our programmes have gone on to achieve goals including:
Transforming 7.2 hectares of disused land in London.
Designing responses to reduce the risk of harm to vulnerable children.
Developing an evidence base to support strategies for decarbonising the UK transport sector.
Our programmes
We offer two programmes for policymakers looking to develop their engineering and systems thinking:
Policy Fellowships Programme
Designed for individual policymakers looking to design a resilient solution to a specific policy problem.
System Approaches in Government
Designed for teams ready to learn the ropes of systems thinking through practical workshops and coaching.
Intensive programmes helping policymakers reframe complex challenges
Our Policy Fellowship programme is designed for individual policymakers looking to design a resilient solution to a specific policy problem. As a Policy Fellow, you’ll:
- Acquire new knowledge: You’ll work with leading engineers and field experts to develop innovative, robust solutions to your policy problem.
- Expand your network: You’ll become part of an active community of Policy Fellows, with whom you can collaborate or share ideas.
- Get ongoing support: You’ll also get access to a unique network of experienced policymakers, leading engineers and other experts who will support you in reaching your goals.
Who should apply?
We welcome applications from UK-based civil or public servants who:
- Want to make an impact on UK public policy in their field.
- Are from a range of backgrounds, including economics, politics, sociology, health, planning, digital, science or engineering.
- Have a well-defined policy challenge or issue.
Building systems capabilities in policy teams reframe complex challenges
Our Systems Approaches in Government programme is designed for teams who are ready to learn the ropes of systems thinking through practical workshops and coaching. You’ll work closely with Academy Fellows and systems experts to build your team’s systems thinking capability by exploring policy challenges.
This isn’t about us telling you what steps to take – we’re equipping you with the confidence and practical tools you need to understand policy problems and create robust policies for change going forward.
We offer three approaches:
- Systems 101 workshops: Introductions to engineering systems approaches and how they can support policymakers.
- Bespoke workshops: Sessions where you’ll learn how to design a systems workshop and apply the right systems tools to solve a live policy problem.
- Coaching: 1:1 or group coaching sessions for those looking to develop their systems and critical thinking skills for better decision-making.
Who should book?
- Policy teams looking for engineering systems support in tackling a complex challenge.
- Leaders looking for ways to communicate and showcase the benefits of systems thinking in devolved, local and central government and public sector organisations.
- Policymakers who want to hit the ground running – workshop participants immediately put the principles of systems learning into practice, so they’re working on their challenges from the outset.
The greatest challenge in policymaking today is not just having the right expertise but knowing where to find it and how to apply it effectively. By embedding systems thinking and engineering-led problem-solving into policymaking, programmes like this can help ensure that public policy is not just well-intended but well-executed.
Sir Chris Wormald KCB, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service
We welcome enquiries from civil and public servants with a variety of expertise and backgrounds from across the policy community at central, devolved and local levels, and other public institutions.
Government departments and organisations we have supported in the past include:
