Research, Policy, Strategic Advice & Governance
Some projects begin with a question. Others begin with a problem that needs to be understood before anyone can decide what to do next.
Debwe provides research, policy, strategic advice, and governance services to help clients understand complex issues, assess their options, strengthen internal practices, and make informed decisions. Services can be provided independently or combined with our facilitation, engagement, consultation, and event planning work.
Research & Analysis
We research and analyze complex issues to help clients understand what they are dealing with and what they may need to consider.
Our work can include policy and legislative research, government programs and processes, background and issue research, document and literature reviews, and comparative or jurisdictional analysis. We bring information together, identify what matters, and present it in a form that clients can use.
Where an issue may require legal advice, we can also help identify and narrow the questions that should be referred to legal counsel.
Policy Development & Review
Policies need to work in practice, not just on paper.
Debwe can develop new policies, review existing ones, identify gaps, and help translate ideas, evidence, community knowledge, and expert advice into clear and workable policy.
Our support can continue through implementation. This may include developing supporting guides or procedures, helping staff understand the purpose behind new requirements, and refining policies and guidance when experience reveals gaps or unforeseen circumstances.
Strategic Advice
Leadership is sometimes faced with a complicated issue, unfamiliar government process, or proposal that requires careful consideration before deciding what to do next.
We help clients understand the issue, identify questions and considerations, assess risks and opportunities, develop options, and determine a way forward. This can include reviewing government proposals or processes, preparing leadership for engagement or consultation, developing strategic options, or providing ongoing advice as circumstances change during the project.
Our role is to provide clear analysis and practical advice. Decisions remain with the client.
Governance Review & Development
Good governance depends on more than having policies and bylaws on file. Boards need clear roles, current resources, and practical processes that support them in carrying out their responsibilities.
Debwe works with non-profit and community-based organizations to review governance documents and practices, identify gaps, and develop resources that respond to the organization's needs.
This can include governance reviews and gap analyses, Board roles and responsibilities, orientation and onboarding materials, policies and guides, and recommendations for strengthening governance practices. We can also support Boards as new resources and practices are introduced.
Understanding How Government Actually Works
Chad brings nearly a decade of experience working inside the federal public service to Debwe. Those years provided an opportunity to learn and observe how government actually works; how decisions move, where influence sits, what decision-makers need, and where formal processes can differ from what happens in practice.
That knowledge becomes an asset for our clients. We can help them understand the government systems and processes they are navigating, anticipate where challenges may arise, and make informed decisions about how to advance their own priorities.