Government Services
CIS has been working in both the public and private sectors and has grown to become one of the country’s leading mid-sized management consulting firms. Our reputation for delivering consistently high-quality work and commitment to successful project outcomes combined with practical implementable solutions has seen us build a loyal client base and foster continuous growth.
Our deliverables are underpinned by our ongoing commitment to flexibility, meeting each client’s needs and the necessity for implementable solutions. We have worked extensively across most sectors of the Australian economy including government, agriculture, resources, energy, heavy industries, health and medical, education and manufacturing.
We can assist government and semi-government agencies in the following areas:
BUSINESS CASES, PROJECT PLANS & IMPLEMENTATION
PROGRAM/PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN
PROGRAM, PROJECT AND BUSINESS EVALUATIONS
BUSINESS CASES, PROJECT PLANS & IMPLEMENTATION
We have supported the development of business cases, project plans as well as project implementation across numerous industry sectors. In developing business cases and plans we run workshops to help our clients define the goals, objectives, purpose, contributions to relevant strategies/policies and the case for change. We will work with them to develop the governance structure, implementation plan, financial model – to assess return on investment and/or value for money, risk management plan and other aspects of the business that need to be considered.
Our clients have often asked us to support project setup and implementation due to the strong support we provide to our clients, the quality of our work and our familiarity with the business case and plans developed. We take a collaborative approach to project implementation and work closely with the operations team to ensure we work with the strengths of the team, to fill in any gaps.
Client projects include: a successful business case for the University of Sunshine Coast to be the Anchor Education Partner at the Moreton Bay Region University Precinct, a business case to support Seer Medical in securing $30M of funding to expand their operations domestically and overseas and a series of successful business cases to secure $13.5M in funding for a start-up to roll out their bioenergy facilities across Australia.
PROGRAM/PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN
We work closely with clients to co-design programs aligned with their goals and to deliver benefits to end-users and beneficiaries. In designing programs/projects, we will undertake a literature review to ensure we understand previous work and have the background knowledge to commence the co-design phase of the work. The co-design will involve the development of the program/project objectives, key needs, design principles and consultation with key stakeholders including beneficiaries of the program/project.
Stakeholder engagement will usually be in the form of focus group sessions, or workshops with stakeholder groups, where we work through rapid prototyping activities to: identify program attributes, develop the end-user experience and delivery ecosystem map; develop the initial program/project design and identify gaps for validation and further refinement; and finalise the program/project design incorporating key requirements, potential service delivery model, required partners, estimated delivery costs, market size, risk assessment, program logic and evaluation plan.
Client projects include: co-design of the Financial Independence Hub sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, with Good Shepherd; supporting the design, creation and establishment of the WA Cancer Wellness Centre encompassing four cancer support member organisations; and acting as CEO and leading the creation of the $329M RACE for 2030 CRC.
PROGRAM, PROJECT AND BUSINESS EVALUATIONS
CIS has conducted various evaluations involving qualitative and quantitative elements, including the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Each project is tailored to align with the outcomes and evaluation criteria for the program, project or business. We will commence our evaluations with a project planning phase to support initial start-up activities such as data collection and agreeing on the stakeholder management and consultation plan.
The data collection and analysis phase will commence shortly after, encompassing desktop research and analysis, the development of an evaluation framework and plan, stakeholder consultations, and surveys to supplement the data collected. A draft report with the key findings and recommendations will be provided to our clients, to capture any feedback and comments from them before we close off on the final report.
We undertake evaluations across various domains including progress against delivery and implementation, program effectiveness, program relevance, cost-effectiveness incorporating cost-benefit and impact analysis, governance, and advisory groups against their terms of reference. We have also developed monitoring and evaluation frameworks to support program design and business case development. Our clients span across health and medical, agriculture, financial services and various other sectors.
Client projects include: the evaluation of the drought response package and Traditional Owner funding and engagement for a government agency, and co-design of a monitoring and evaluation for a $30 million mental health care initiative.
STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS
We recognise the critical role stakeholder consultation has in the successful delivery of quality outcomes for projects. Our respectful, sensitive, safe and fit-for-purpose engagement approach brings projects to life and provides deep insights and benefits for the industries we work in.
We have extensive experience consulting with stakeholders in state and federal government agencies such as DELWP (now DEECA), Regional Development Victoria, Department of Transport, Ministerial Advisory Committees, Office of Victorian Government Architect, Agriculture Victoria, Parks Victoria and the Northern Territory Government of Primary Industries and Fisheries. We have also consulted significantly with vulnerable people such as people who have experienced financial abuse, and underrepresented and disadvantaged cohorts such as First Nations people, Registered Aboriginal Parties and people in the CALD community.
Our consultations range from individual interviews and small focus groups to large town hall meetings delivered to selected groups of stakeholders, or through national industry consultations. Our consultations are a blend of online and in-person to encourage participation, and usually include two of our consultants to ensure the consultation session is delivered effectively and the appropriate expertise is available.
Client projects include: consultation with 300+ growers nationally to develop the Vegetable Strategic Investment Plan for Hort Innovation, consultation with Registered Aboriginal Parties and First Nations People to evaluate Traditional Owner funding and engagement for a government agency, and consultation with people who have experienced financial abuse to co-design the Financial Independence Hub with Good Shepherd.
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES
Economic and financial modelling and analysis form a major part of our projects, in particular, they are a core part of our business cases, business plans and program evaluations.
Our impact and cost-benefit analysis and models are structured to align with the needs of our clients. We have undertaken impact and cost-benefit analysis using methodologies developed by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources for the CRC Program, the Rural Research Development Corporation and Centre and the Centre of International Economics. We also integrate the use of general equilibrium models to support our impact and cost-benefit analysis.
We develop three-way integrated financial models to provide a forecast of the financial performance, financial position and cash flow of the business over the nominated forecast period. Our models and forecasts take into account the financial objectives, financial structure as well as industry-specific operating structure. Our financial models are dynamic and can incorporate break-even analysis, sensitivity analysis, scenario analysis, cost-benefit analysis, net present value and return on investment assessments.
Client projects include: the economic impact modelling for numerous successful CRCs including the recently funded Net Zero Emissions Agriculture CRC and Solving Plastic Waste CRCs, impact modelling for 32 horticulture sectors to assess the potential impact of the new Strategic Investment Plans developed for each sector, the economic impact assessment of vegetable levy funded project between 201-2017 for Hort Innovations and development of a financial model for a not-for-profit organisation in the health sector.
RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION
CIS offers research, data collection, and analysis services and has access to emerging market intelligence tools that ensure these projects are delivered efficiently and of high quality. This capability is supported by our outstanding team with PhD, MBA and graduate diploma qualifications as well as commerce, finance and accounting, engineering and law degrees. Our team includes professionals from various academic fields and backgrounds, collectively boasting 100+ years of consulting experience.
We undertake in-depth market research and analysis in many of our projects including to support the development of business cases, feasibility assessments, impact assessments and program evaluations. We also provide market assessment training to researchers - via our Industry Engagement Program, and to SMEs via our incubator, the National Agriculture and Food Incubator (NAFI) - to assess the market size, competition, customer segments and customer trends associated with their production/innovation.
We have undertaken detailed market research and analysis for sectors such as medical and health, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and battery storage, heavy industry, building and construction, agriculture, blue economy and waste management.
Client projects include: market research and analysis to support the impact modelling for 15 of the 17 successfully funded Cooperative Research Centres in the last five grant funding rounds, market assessment for an innovative AI tool developed by a not-for-profit organisation, and a feasibility assessment and benchmarking study that provided an evidenced-based evaluation of the long-term viability of preferred operating model for a major a health initiative.
MANAGING MAJOR PROJECTS
Our extensive experience in managing major projects across numerous industry sectors underscores our capability to oversee complex initiatives. Our proficiency in project management, adeptness in collaborating with diverse stakeholders and groups, the extensive skill set of our staff, and our capacity to operate effectively within stringent timeframes collectively position us as a valuable asset to any project team.
Through meticulous planning, execution, and stakeholder engagement, we ensure seamless coordination and timely delivery. From initial planning stages to final implementation and ongoing support, our dedication to project management excellence ensures optimal results and client satisfaction.
Client projects include: leading and supporting successful $100M - $350M Cooperative Research Centres including sitting as interim CEO of the RACE for 2030 CRC, developing the strategic investment plan for Australia’s vegetable industry, securing $28M funding for Southern Cross University to develop their science and engineering precinct, and securing funding for the University of Tasmania to construct buildings for IMAS and the Menzies Research Institute.
