Consulting / Strategic planning
Strategic planning:
Define your vision, goals and objectives

At Think Human we work hard to take the mystery – and fear – out of strategic planning. In a rapidly changing world, we favour adaptive approaches to strategy development that enable you to set a clear direction whilst being nimble enough to pivot and respond to the circumstances you face.
From a one-day workshop to a six-month collaborative process, we work with you, your staff and your customers to design a strategic planning experience that enables you to articulate where you want to get to, why and how.

Strategic planning
What strategic planning involves
At Think Human, our approach to strategy development mirrors our commitment to co-design and participation. We will work with you, your staff and customers (consumers, members) to not only help you work out where you want to be in the future, but also ensure that your people are part of the process and on the journey. We specialise in co-creating adaptive strategy that remains responsive to the changing context in which you work.
We work across the following stages:
- Scoping: we will spend time understanding your organisation, your needs and where you are trying to get to.
- Engagement: we will design a process to explore and outline where you want to be in the future, how to get there and how to measure progress.
- Synthesis: we will work with you to pull all of the pieces together into a strategic plan which is relevant, practical and adaptive. If required, we can support your implementation journey too!
Key benefits
How strategic planning can benefit your organisation?
Clear direction
Strategic planning is more than just setting goals—it’s a powerful tool that helps organisations point everyone in the same direction and ensure people know their role in achieving success. This clarity helps teams stay focused, aligned, and motivated.
Improved culture
Strategic planning is a catalyst for building a strong, positive workplace culture. At its core, it connects people, purpose, and performance. When employees see how their work contributes to strategic goals, they feel more empowered and accountable. This sense of ownership leads to higher engagement and pride in their contributions.
Stakeholder engagement
Strategic planning plays a vital role in building strong, lasting relationships with stakeholders. Whether they are employees, consumers, customers, or partners, people are more likely to engage when they understand and trust the organisation’s direction. When stakeholders see consistent progress and alignment with shared values, they are more likely to remain engaged over time.
Better Planning & Delivery
By identifying what matters most, strategic planning ensures that time, budget, and workforce are allocated to the initiatives that drive the greatest impact. Adaptive approaches to strategy are more important than they’ve ever been, allowing organisations to anticipate challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.
Our strategic planning success stories
Find out more about our approach to Strategic Planning by browsing some recent case studies.
Co-designing the future of tourism in South Australia
“We appreciated the fresh perspective and expertise from Mel, Dana and the Think Human team in helping South Australia’s tourism industry think differently — more human, more tourism for good. Mel was especially accommodating as the project scope evolved, while gently keeping us focused and strategic. ”
Kathryn Galpin, Director, Policy and Projects
Co-designing a Stakeholder Consultative Group Structure
“The Think Human team is well prepared and designs and delivers engagement activities to best suit our audience and to meet our objectives. Mel & Paul are fantastic facilitators and ensure all voices are heard and considered. Their summary reports and evidenced based recommendations are always of a very high standard.”
Dan Popping, Former Head of Stakeholder Engagement
Responding to young people in Mental health crisis
“Thank you for being so compassionate with how you approach these consultations. I feel like there is no way I would feel safe enough to talk as I do without that.”
Jan, Community member
Leadership coaching and mentoring
“I have transformed from someone who constantly battled imposter syndrome to a confident and engaging individual. I deeply appreciated how you listened, helped me to refine my goals, and kept me forward-thinking, always asking what’s next. This journey has been truly transformative, leaving me inspired, motivated, respected, and supported throughout.”
Trixie Kemp, Director, Health Information Management Services
Student summit: Enhancing safety in schools
“Working with Think Human has been an absolutely delightful collaboration. I am certain we will have the opportunity to work together again soon.”
Miriam, Manager of Behaviour Support, South Australian Department for Education
Co-designing pathways into life beyond work.
“At the Mindset for Life workshops I discovered it wasn't just me who was feeling a bit lost and disappointed with the retirement experience. I came away with more understanding of what I needed to do to make it a success.”
Stephen Merrett, Program participant and peer convenor
Lived Experience Network - Mentoring support
“Working alongside Mel was a really rich learning experience for me as a group facilitator. Mel skilfully provided safety for members to express their diverse views and ensured the wellbeing of the group as a whole.”
Paula, Lived Experience Network Co-ordinator
Navigating through the question marks
“I got a lot out of the Life Transitions course. Mel made me really think about my next possible steps from many different angles and I enjoyed discussing not only my own question marks but hearing about what the others in the group were working out for themselves too. This is Highly Recommended!”
Kathy B, South Australia
Contact us
Change starts with a conversation. Let’s chat…
A website can only tell you so much. We’d love to have a chat if you think we can help you. Let us know what you’re trying to do and we’ll get in touch as soon as we can to talk, human to human.
"*" indicates required fields
Keen to build your own skills and leadership in strategic planning?

Explore our other consulting services
Co-design
Create solutions with lived experience
Our co-design draws in diverse perspectives to design and deliver realistic and practical solutions. We emphasise inclusivity, elevate lived experience and encourage participation, building your own in-house capability in the process.
Facilitation
Engaging people in decision-making
Our facilitation approach focuses on creating inclusive and engaging environments to bring out the best in your people. Our methods ensure you’ll have productive discussions with everyone from local communities to government ministers.
Our people
Thinking human in all we do
Meet the team of real humans behind ‘Think Human’. With skills and experience internationally and in Australia, in government, private and ‘for-purpose’ sectors, and a pretty awesome group of people to boot, have a browse to find out more. And of course, feel free to reach out for a chat any time, human to human!
Mel Lambert
Director
Coaching, co-design and collaboration
Mel Lambert is our founder. An experienced strategic facilitator, co-design practitioner and coach, Mel specialises in elevating the voices of lived experience. She is driven by the passionate belief that people are the best designer of their own solutions, given the right conditions and support. She is also our process design expert – she blames the first 5 years of her career as a youth worker and a creative spirit for all the brown paper templates that show up in our workshops!
Mel is an Organisational Coach (IECL Level2), a Tiny Habits™ Behaviour Coach and is certified in change management practice (PROSCI™) and Narrative Therapy (Dulwich Centre). Mel draws on these disciplines to offer 1:1 coaching and group coaching programs for individuals, staff teams and organisations at times of significant transition and change.
Mel is passionate about supporting people to be intentional about their ‘second half’ of life and work. She is recognised nationally as a thought leader in purposeful longevity and is the driving force behind our sister brand, Life Navigation Lab.
In her spare time Mel co-hosts Tenx9, a storytelling event in Adelaide, South Australia.
Paul Lambert
Director
Leading strategy through mentorship and digital design
Paul is an experienced healthcare executive and digital transformation leader with a reputation for delivering innovative, values-driven solutions across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
As Director of Think Human, Paul leads a consultancy that specialises in digital health leadership, strategic facilitation, and organisational reform. His work spans healthcare, human services, utilities, manufacturing, and education, with a strong track record in digital health and health facilities consulting.
Paul’s approach is inspirational and unconventional, grounded in a deep commitment to community outcomes and the intelligent use of technology. He brings calm, authoritative leadership to complex environments, underpinned by strong governance credentials including completion of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course.
Previously, Paul served as Executive Director of Digital Design at the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN), where he led the rollout of the Sunrise EMR and developed a comprehensive digital strategy aligned with CALHN’s strategic ambitions. His tenure involved extensive engagement with staff, consumers, industry, and government, resulting in a robust understanding of modern hospital digital architecture and data systems. Prior to this Paul lead the team which commissioned and moved the Royal Adelaide Hospital to its current location.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy and a Master’s in International Health, Paul combines clinical insight with strategic acumen. He is an Adjunct Industry Fellow at the University of South Australia (Adelaide University) and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders across Local Health Networks and government agencies.
Paul’s leadership is defined by optimism, human connection, and hospitality—principles that shape his workshops and engagements. He creates safe, inclusive spaces that foster genuine dialogue and collective problem-solving, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
In his spare time Paul can be found nurturing baby trees for Trees for Life and administering community sport at the beloved Bearcats Basketball Club.
Emily Farrell
Senior Consultant
Navigating complexity and finding solutions
Emily is passionate about delivering exceptional client service and results. With a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide, she has built a diverse career spanning law, industrial relations, government and public policy across both Australia and the United States.
Born and raised in Adelaide, she began her career in South Australia before moving to New York, where she lived for six years, working at a leading U.S. immigration law firm.
Since returning home, Emily has brought her wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to client success—helping individuals and organisations navigate complex challenges with integrity, precision, and a solutions-focused mindset.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies, and exploring her love of floristry.
Jessica Stevens
Senior Consultant
Understanding and sustaining impact
Jessica brings over fifteen years of experience in community development to her work, combining strong skills in facilitation, participatory methods, and community-based evaluation. What drives her is helping people and organisations work with each other, not just for each other, to design change that feels meaningful, is owned locally, and reflects what matters most.
She believes in embedding community voice at every stage: at the idea, design, delivery, and evaluation phases of a project. This, she holds, is key to creating trust, strengthening capacity, and sustaining impact. Jessica is dedicated to turning complexity into clarity, and helping groups build connection, safety, and shared purpose.
Jessica is currently completing her Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) at the University of Adelaide. In her spare moments, she enjoys time with family and friends, listening to music, tending to her garden, connecting with animals, and exploring new wonders in the world.
Kelly McLean
Consultant
Combining lived experience with deep analysis
Kelly is a strong advocate of a person-centred, “nothing about us, without us” approach. Kelly has been part of the Think Human team since 2021 where she applies her lived experience of lifelong disability combined with her finely tuned analytical skills to improve things for others,. Her 11 years working in the not-for-profit disability sector has provided her with experience with clients of different ages, cultures, experiences and challenges.
With a BA in Library and Information Management, Kelly brings research, analytical and data management skills. Her Certificate 4 in Disability Work and Diploma in Youth Work have grown her passion for public engagement, community service, and empowering others to achieve their goals.
Doting Chihuahua Mum, crafter, try-hard gardener, energized by connecting with others.
Carolyn Curtis
Associate
Our partner for philanthropy, governance and social innovation leadership
An experienced CEO and Non-Executive Director, Carolyn has spent the past 11 years leading one of the world’s longest standing social innovation enterprises, The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI).
Prior to TACSI, Carolyn had a long career in State Government where she moved between a number of practice, policy and leadership roles with the Department of Child Protection. Carolyn puts her 25 years of social policy and innovation experience to use as a Non-Executive Director, coach and mentor, and is currently acting Director of Impact at the Paul Ramsay Foundation and is on the boards of Junction Australia and The Fay Fuller Foundation.
Dana Shen
Associate
Systems thinking to support strong futures for Aboriginal people
Dana Shen is the Director of DS Consultancy. DS Consultancy specialises in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities, social services and those with lived experience to create change and improve services.
Dana also provides a range of programs that cover meditation practices for working with the mind, body, thoughts and emotions and how these techniques can be integrated into daily life. In all programs there is a focus on self-care and practical approaches that are offered for people who live busy lives and want to find space for rest.
Insights & inspiration
Co-designing the future of tourism in South Australia
Towards a ‘True South Promise’ In late 2024 the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TICSA) embarked on a transformative co-design project facilitated by Think Human. This initiative aimed to redefine the future of tourism in South Australia by creating a distinctly South Australian tourism experience, drawing on regenerative and […]
Unpacking a job
The power of understanding the detail of what you love As I write we are just over halfway through the current Life Navigation Lab coaching program, Navigating Life Transitions. More specifically, we are navigating career transitions, but the reality is, the experience of our jobs impacts the rest of life, and vice versa. Throughout the […]
Backyard Regeneration
Australia is in the midst of a major ecological shift. What can we do in our own backyards?
Redesigning a Historic Trust for the 21st Century
Co-designing contemporary opportunities with people living with disability In 2020, the Department of Human Services (DHS) commissioned Think Human to lead the HFI Trust Beneficiary Engagement Project, a landmark initiative to determine the future of the Trust that owns Highgate Park (formerly the Julia Farr Centre). This project was deeply rooted in co-design principles, placing […]
Developing a ‘Mindset for Life’
Mindset for Life was co-designed over the course of a year with people who were transitioning out of work. This participatory approach ensured the program reflected real-life challenges and aspirations.
What is ‘Life Navigation Lab’?
Life Navigation Lab is the coming together of my long-term passion to support people to navigate their way into the second half of life with intention, confidence and purpose.
Hospital discharge for NDIS participants
A Ministerial Roundtable to improve human and system outcomes. In July 2022, Think Human was engaged to facilitate a high-level Ministerial Roundtable convened by South Australia’s Ministers for Human Services and Health. The roundtable addressed the critical issue of delayed hospital discharges for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants—a challenge with significant human and system-level […]
FREE BEER!
What is the value of your attention? Enticing titles and images of puppies! Increasingly, in popular literature and life, we are hearing about the how the modern world is designed to attract and capture our attention. Through clever digital algorithms, catchy marketing or a myriad of other tricks of behavioural psychology, some now consider attention […]