Innovation Unscripted™
Complex problems are always unique.
The moment change efforts rely on fixed sequences, standardized playbooks, or delegated delivery, attention shifts away from what makes the situation distinct. Innovation becomes improvement. Transformation stalls.
Innovation Unscripted™ means:
- Context first, always
- Leadership judgment over procedural conformity
- Tools adapted or invented to fit the situation
- AI used to augment collaborative intelligence, not reduce variance
We scale impact by amplifying judgment, not replicating methods.
What We Do
We help leaders navigate ambiguity, tradeoffs, and uncertainty where linear planning breaks down.
Strategy for Complex Systems:
- Systems mapping and strategic foresight
- Strategic conversations and portfolio-based strategy
Case Study Examples:
- Pacific Community (SPC) – Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy
- Alberta Education and Childcare – Classroom Complexity & Inclusive Education
Design for Legitimacy and Scale:
- Multi-stakeholder co-design
- End to end system redesign
Case Study Examples:
- Nova Scotia Health – Health Beyond Hospital
- Government of Abu Dhabi – Effortless Customer Experience Maturity Assessment & Awards Program
Convening for Collaborative Intelligence:
- Collaboration and engagement across power and perspective
- Evidence-based collective action
Case Study Examples:
- Conference Board of Canada — Bold Ideas for Canada
- Inter-American Development Bank and Government of Trinidad and Tobago – Mission-Oriented Innovation Pilot
Strategic co-design is not about choosing the best answer. It is about taking the initiative and learning together in uncertainty.
In addition to leading consulting engagements in these areas, Synthetikos also provides training and thought leadership on complex change.
What We Don’t Do
We do not:
- Sell pre-packaged frameworks
- Run pilots without credible pathways to scale
- Work around opposition instead of engaging it
- Participate in performative or extractive change
This protects our clients as much as it protects our work.
TESTIMONIALS
"I highly recommend Synthetikos. We ran a competitive process to conduct a foresight exercise with our Executive Team to assess our current state and prepare for the future. The value of Alex’s experience and network was unmatched: he provided valuable pre-reading for our team, and used his existing toolkit to take us through a process that was both engaging and inspiring. His experience working with public agencies meant he understood some of the external factors influencing our work, and his network of global experts in the education space provided valuable perspective. As a result, we have a comprehensive and realistic path forward and a way to address key issues facing our sector. We received great value for our investment, and I look forward to working with Alex again."
Lora Pillipow, Deputy Minister of Advanced Education, Government of Alberta
"Working with Synthetikos was a wonderful experience! They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and well connected to the broader landscape. Alex was great at reframing questions to allow us to expand our thinking as we looked to scale our award winning Climate Action Learning & Leadership (CALL) Program across Canada. Working through the Theory of Change Model was also particularly valuable in helping us to more clearly define our program and scaling ambitions in preparation for the scaling workshop. Synthetikos helped us to bring together a variety of stakeholders, effectively engaging participants virtually through working groups and an online co-creation exercise to gather valuable input and establish a clear roadmap forward for expanding this valuable program to reach broader audiences."
Heather House, Learning and Engagement Manager, Toronto Zoo