Session type:

Talk

Presented by:

Tricia Rambharose

Softwire

Session time:

18 Sep 11:30 — 12:15

Session duration:

45 minutes

About the session

Theme: Policy | Service Leadership

What do you do when you join a government project that’s under pressure - with tight timelines, emerging plans, and relationships still taking shape? 

In this talk, I’ll share how we turned around a high-pressure data service project by elevating user needs, building trust and being flexible with ways of working. This session is about leading when the usual rules don’t apply - especially when a project doesn’t follow a typical GDS model. 

You’ll hear how we shaped a delivery approach that fit the reality they walked into, not just the theory. 

You’ll leave with ideas, tools and encouragement for navigating uncertainty and influencing change in real-world government projects.

Participant takeaways:

  • Ways to build or rebuild trust in user-centred work
  • Ideas for shaping projects that don’t follow a typical GDS model
  • Examples of turning around difficult projects through research and collaboration
  • Tips for working in complex teams where policy, design and delivery overlap
  • Personal reflections on leading with empathy and creating space for good work to happen

This session is for: 

This session is for people working in public services, including user researchers, service designers, policy professionals and delivery teams. Whether you’re leading projects, joining as a contractor, or trying to influence change from within, you’ll find ideas and encouragement for the work you do.

About the speaker(s)