The Shift Approach
A proven approach, adaptive by design.
Shift’s approach is centered on curiosity and continuous learning. Rooted in more than a century of improvement science and integrated with contemporary human-centered design principles, our unique methods address some of the world’s most complex challenges. Our overall approach and the tools we use adapt to your context to improve systems that serve people in the real world.
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The Shift Approach to Improvement
Complex improvement projects do not unfold in a strictly linear fashion. Our approach emphasizes ongoing learning — a process explicitly designed to discover things we didn’t already know. As the project progresses we adapt, iterate and test, continually fine tuning the solution so that it has the highest possible likelihood of success.
Study the System
Build Empathy and Capacity
Develop Change Theory
Measure Impact
Test and Scale
Evaluate the system as a whole and examine the factors that contribute to inequitable outcomes.
Deepen trust, develop diverse leaders, and build capacity for change.
Set aims for achieving improved outcomes, and build alignment and excitement.
Conduct frequent measurements over time to observe the impact of changes.
Build a culture of sustainable improvement by prioritizing community needs, testing outcomes, and scaling successes.
Our methods support diverse teams with a shared purpose to accelerate learning and improve outcomes.
There are a few non-negotiables that we bring to every project.
Given the complexity, scope of ambition and competing interests inherent in the work we do, we’ve identified a few elements that are essential in order to arrive at the outcomes we all desire.
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Shared commitment
We become invested in your cause and the important work you’re doing in order to build alignment around it from the start.
Inclusive approach
We believe that incorporating the voices, viewpoints, and lived experiences of those not typically included is critical to success.
Adaptability
There’s no one-size-fits-all in our work. We work closely with you to adapt our approach to the nuances and complexities of your project.