Skip to content

Mission Public

BIT is working with Nesta to support the adoption of mission-driven approaches.

Missions are a way for organisations to pursue stretching, long-term ambitions. They require the capability to drive and spread innovation, shape systems and markets, and harness intelligence to improve outcomes at pace. The approach is of growing interest to governments in the UK and around the world.

Our colleagues at Nesta have worked with the Institute for Government to distil the principles of mission-driven government.

How can BIT and Nesta help with missions?

Leading a successful mission is no easy task – it requires methods that are capable of driving change in a complex environment. At BIT we have worked for years to help organisations adopt more test-driven and evidence-based approaches, and we can now play the same supportive role on missions.

Together with our colleagues at Nesta, we can support partners to:

  • Define a mission in a way that inspires, setting well-calibrated targets, and developing and refining a mission game plan. We bring techniques including red-teaming, co-developing theories of change, and policy blueprinting.
  • Shape systems and markets to achieve mission outcomes, from mapping the behaviour of actors in a complex system, to driving innovation using tools like challenge prizes, working with our partners at Nesta Challenge Works.
  • Experiment and drive innovation. We bring a suite of evaluation methods, from RCTs to adaptive trials, theory-based evaluation, and design methods, as well as lessons from our long-running work with Bloomberg building innovation teams.
  • Harness intelligence. From running large scale deliberation exercises with customers or citizens, to rapidly synthesising evidence using Artificial Intelligence, we help partners get the evidence they need to know if a mission is succeeding.

At BIT we tailor our approach to the needs of each client and we would be happy to discuss the right mix of methods for your context.

Want to find out more?

With our colleagues at Nesta, we collaborate with a range of partners on the theory and practice of missions, from academic institutes to think tanks to government departments.

If your organisation is interested in applying mission-driven approaches, or if you have a related project proposal or research question, please get in touch.

Featured work

Meet the team

Work with us

Is your organisation interested in adopting a mission-driven approach? Let's talk about how we can best support you.

Get in touch

Design and development by Soapbox.