Improving Productivity through a Defence Ways of Working Review

The Challenge

A Defence capability division was experiencing increasing pressure on its workforce. Staff were constrained by fragmented ways of working, inconsistent processes and unclear strategic direction.

Operating within an increasingly complex environment, the division needed practical improvements that could be implemented quickly, without disrupting core delivery.

ConceptSix was engaged to identify the root causes behind these challenges and deliver a targeted, division wide ways‑of‑working review grounded in staff engagement and Defence context to provide a clear, actionable path to lift productivity.

The Solution

Engaged leaders, staff and key external stakeholders to understand lived experience and pressure points.

Analysed ways of working across strategy, structure, processes, workforce skills and culture.

Identified practical quick wins to reduce churn and improve day‑to‑day productivity.

Developed principles and options to inform future organisational design.

The Impact

A final report outlined a clear, actionable set of improvement opportunities grounded in staff insight and focused on productivity.

Outputs were highly commended for their usefulness and quality, where previous internal efforts had been fragmented and difficult to apply.

A horizon-based implementation roadmap and quick win materials supported the division to quickly begin making improvements, strengthening the division’s ability to deliver capability in a demanding Defence environment.