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The Surge Team

Established at the Canada School of Public Service in late 2018, the Surge Team supports policy projects where quick action or breakthroughs are needed. We do not have ongoing files. Instead, the team collaborates with partners on time-limited projects at the School and across the federal public service.

In all of our work we emphasize clear problem definition and rigorous analysis. We often play the role of a neutral third party or challenge function to help to our partners identify desired outcomes and outputs. To achieve these outcomes, our team of policy professionals has a range of experiences, perspectives, skills, and toolsets that help us deliver on partners' needs, including deliverables such as policy briefs, decision documents, presentations, and facilitated sessions.

To learn more about us and our work reach out at surgesolutionsunit@csps-efpc.gc.ca or visit our GCXchange Site for more details. Our GCXchange site also contains a series of Learning Materials and Resources, which offer tips and lessons learned on core aspects of policy work.


How We Can Help

We meet our partners where they're at - whether it's collaborating on a project from day one or helping push a file over the finish line.


Problem Definition

Ensuring everyone has a common understanding of the issue supported by brainstorming, consultation, and research

9-12 purple question mark.png 1-3 yellow tools.png Options Development

Collaboratively identifying a range of workable solutions that are grounded in evidence, critical analysis, and creativity

Next Steps & Reflections

Offering support to put ideas into effect, and capturing lessons learned to be applied to future work

6-9 brain.png 4-6 speech bubble.png Engagement & Briefing

Validating possible solutions through engagement with stakeholders, and generating products that tell a compelling story


We offer a range of policy services, from research and analysis to engagement and facilitated sessions to synthesis and briefing documents for decision-makers.

2.1book.svg Research & Analysis Problem diagnosis, framing and definition; Environmental scans; Data collection, analysis, and synthesis; Conducting interviews and focus groups
2.2hand.svg Challenge Function Soundboard for ideas; Providing strategic advice; Helping teams think through complex files and find clarity on how to manage the work (e.g., how to navigate through the system/process)
2.3handshake.svg Building Capacity Team learning through projects; Lessons Learned facilitation; Skills-oriented workshops
2.4talk.svg Engagement & Facilitation Convening groups to tackle shared files and common problems; Designing engagement strategies; Planning and hosting engagement sessions; Strengthening horizontal collaboration; Driving groups towards agreement on next steps
2.5present.svg Synthesis & Briefing Decks; Placemats; Dashboards; Policy reports; What We Heard reports; Supporting the drafting of key policy and decision documents (e.g., Memorandum to Cabinet, medium-term planning, performance measurement frameworks)

How We Work

Our approach is most effective with engaged and collaborative partners: we use regular touchpoints throughout the project to build off your expertise and respond to your needs.


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Discuss Design a Plan Develop and Deliver Conclude
- Explain our service model
- Learn about your needs
- Discuss objectives, scope, and timelines
- Develop a proposal
- Discuss specific deliverables and identify key stakeholders
- Determine roles and responsibilities
- Agree on timelines
- Draft a Memorandum of Understanding
- Evaluate progress and incorporate feedback into product(s)
- Revise deliverables, scope, and timelines as needed to meet objectives
- Close out deliverables
- Discuss project transition period
- Share lessons learned to promote continuous learning


As a team, we work in a series of short sprints and deep dives to improve the quality of products. Our work is iterative and collaborative, learning equally from failures and successes. Consulting with stakeholders is a critical part of how we do our work. Our projects are often non-linear, redefining problem statements and generating more research as we move forward and change course as needed.

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Who We've Helped

Since December 2018, we have worked with several organizations to deliver over 50 projects with more than 150 individual deliverables. You can find details on these projects, as well as lessons we've learned from them, on our GCXchange site.

Our projects touch on many policy areas, including public administration and machinery of government, Indigenous relations, national security, social policy, and innovation, among others.

The Surge Team contributes to learning, innovation and policy priorities across the Government of Canada. Our partners' desired outcome dictates the deliverable(s) we work towards.



Examples of Projects:


An image of a calendar and a checklist signifying project planning
Online Transition Planner and Checklist: A tool to support Government transition

Partnership with the Privy Council Office

Centralized a checklist of tasks to be completed for all incoming and outgoing Ministers, staff, and offices

Deployed a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) tool across the GC

Provided an enterprise-wide view of transition activities for the Privy Council Office


Speech bubble signifying conversation and facilitation
Behavioural Insights Blended Services Pilot: Facilitated Workshop Learning

Partnership with the Policy Community Partnerships Office, Privy Council Office, and Behavioural Insights Team

Applied a team-based learning-by-doing approach to teach public servants about Behavioral Insights and make concrete progress on real problems

Combined expert-led training and one-on-one support to develop BI-based interventions for real world challenges


Open book signifying storytelling, narrative building, and briefing
Reconciliation Primer: Policy Brief and Learning Tool

Partnership with Health Canada

Primer for public servants on the need for reconciliation and the role they can play

Developed in consultation with Indigenous public servants and policy experts

Content contributed to the app Reconciliation: A Starting Point


Two people sitting at a table discussing, signifying public engagement
Modern Public Engagement: Facilitated Discussions and Engagement Framework Development

Partnership with Transport Canada

Curation of tools and resources relevant to public engagement that will support TC's Transformation Plan

Provides a public engagement framework in prototype format that articulates 5 broad phases of engagement and explores best practices

Testimonials:

"...the most organized, helpful, and engaged capacity-building partners we've ever had"
~ Policy Community Partnership Office & Privy Council Officem
"Love the expertise you provided, with customized support to make this work easier."
~ Employment and Social Development Canada
"...the most concise, comprehensive, and visually appealing summary of Crown-Indigenous relations I've come across."
~ Environment and Climate Change Canada
"...a strong proposal in such short time."
~ Privy Council Office
"There are a few [exercises] that have stood out over the course of my career, and this is one of the high flyers."
~ Employment and Social Development Canada
"...impressed by the efficiency, organization, and professionalism."
~ Environment and Climate Change Canada
"This is very good work, especially given how little you've been given to work with."
~ Department of National Defence

FAQ

How many projects does Surge normally take on?

Typically, 2-4 projects at any given time, with start and end-dates staggered.

What is the average duration of a project? How many analysts work on a project?

Projects usually last from 2 to 8 months. A project team will typically include 3-5 analysts. We do not 'loan out' analysts to departments, unlike the Free Agent Program.

How does the cost sharing approach to projects work?

CSPS and the partner department sign an MOU outlining costs, roles, timelines and deliverables. Costs are based on analysts' hourly wages and any additional O&M costs, if applicable (e.g., costs to hire an external speaker).

All partner projects are cost-shared - CSPS takes on a certain portion of the project costs (based on discussions and agreement with partners). Funds are collected through an Interdepartmental Settlement, typically from partners' O&M budgets.

How long does the MOU take to put in place?
We can normally draft and share an MOU quickly (1-2 weeks), after scope, timelines, and deliverables have been discussed and agreed upon.

Contact Us

If you are interested in working with us or want to learn more about what we do reach out to us at surgesolutionsunit@csps-efpc.gc.ca or visit our GCXchange site.

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