Strengthening a Civil Service Team’s Capabilities in Complex Problem Solving
Over four months, The PSC helped a newly formed civil service team boost their confidence in structured problem solving by 34%, clarify their priorities, and embed new ways of working that reduced duplication and improved collaboration.
A newly formed team in a central government body was tasked with exploring options to improve a key public service. Operating in a complex and fast-evolving landscape, they recognised the need to strengthen their capability in structured problem solving and hypothesis generation to work effectively and with confidence.
The PSC partnered with the team to build their confidence and consistency in tackling complex challenges. Over four months, we provided bespoke training and tailored mentoring, adapting to each individual’s development needs and the team’s shifting priorities. This ensured that our support remained relevant, accessible and embedded in their day-to-day work.
The Approach
We began with a hands-on workshop introducing our core methodologies for structured problem solving and hypothesis generation.
We then provided a series of one-to-one mentoring sessions, enabling participants to apply these approaches to their live projects and receive personalised feedback. Regular check-ins with the team lead ensured the support evolved in line with the team’s changing context and priorities.
The Impact
By the end of the engagement:
- Participants reported a 34% increase in confidence in defining and breaking down problems, developing and testing hypotheses, and creating clear, communicable project plans.
- The team used their new skills to clarify priorities, reduce duplication, and improve collaboration across workstreams.
- They also embedded the new tools into their project management practices, including using the Problem Definition Sheet to structure a team away day and shape future workstreams.
Feedback highlighted the lasting impact of the training:
This project reflects The PSC’s commitment to building confident, capable public sector teams equipped to solve the most complex challenges and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
If you'd like to partner with us to build confidence and consistency in tackling complex challenges within your team get in touch with us at hello@thepsc.co.uk. You can also take a look at the Capability Building courses that we offer.