our approach

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Reboot brings new approaches to the complex challenges of governance, development, and communications. Blending design theory and systems thinking, we follow a creative but structured problem-solving process that focuses on people first, cultures and processes second, and technology only when and where it makes sense. This ensures solutions that are contextually appropriate, culturally sensitive, socially responsible, and that delivers lasting results.

We believe in constructive collaboration between all stakeholders. We connect citizens and communities with the organizations that serve them. We believe that end-users are the best problem-solvers when it comes to issues that affect their lives, thus we surface, elevate, and harness their brilliance in order to accelerate change and create lasting net-positives.

At Reboot, we understand — and have great affinity for — technology, but wield it selectively and strategically and not as an end in itself. Solutions must complement existing norms, and results are often more efficiently won by collapsing processes and extending reach. Thus, though digital tools underpin many of our efforts, they are used to complement and amplify other efforts, and are but one part of a holistic solution.

Process

Reboot uses design research, technology and a rigorous program development methodology to support and amplify organizations’ existing efforts, increasing reach and effectiveness. We guide partners, hand-in-hand, from needs analysis through deployment to ensure comfort and mastery.

Additionally, our process is predicated on a collaborative approach, ensuring the buy-in of stakeholders from across all levels of the organizations we work with.

Immersive Research

We believe in informed inspiration. In order to improve lives, we must first understand lives as they are. In order to improve upon systems, we must first understand current processes and the ecosystems in which they exist.

Reboot’s process is grounded in sound, rigorous research. This stage is founded in empathy, driven by curiosity, and undertaken with humility. We believe that only through deep, nuanced understanding of current challenges and their contexts can we identify optimal leverage points, design appropriate solutions, and ensure that interventions reach their potential.

Hunch-based reasoning is not enough. Reboot’s commitment to immersive research — on-the-ground alongside end-users and in consultation with leading subject experts — helps partners make informed, evidence-based decisions.

Collaborative Design

Others focus on solutions and try to apply them to problems. Reboot’s emphasis is on the end-user — ‘co-conspirators’ in our books — and on working directly with them to develop bespoke solutions that satisfy their unique needs, and that endure outside constraints.

We insist on a side-by-side, iterative design process through which we tune, re-tune, and fine-tune until we get it right. We especially welcome and thrive on debate and change at this stage because it leads to a better end-product. This process also ensures widespread, baked-in support and loyalty for the course of action.

Training and Implementation

Reboot takes a proactive role in implementation — we train and coach all those involved; we manage strategic partnerships; and we oversee program roll-out. We roll up our sleeves and get all hands on deck — and holding both pom poms and whips — to ensure program success.

Evaluation

We define success as measurable, durable positive change, and we don’t accept anything less. If we don’t know how well a solution performs, we can’t determine how to make it better.

To this end, Reboot measures the impact and progress of solutions, both to ensure original goals are met or exceeded, and with an eye towards future improvements. Projects are evaluated based on jointly agreed-upon metrics — both those internal to our partner, and those that demonstrate an impact on the wider world — and the results are documented and shared, where appropriate, to encourage learning in relevant interest communities and to advance the conversation.

Monitoring

At Reboot, we are selective about who we work with. There are two reasons for this. First, because we are at our best when our visions and principles align with those we serve — and our partners agree. And second, because we continue to monitor our partners’ progress far beyond our contracted end-date.

Beyond progress on programs for which we’re brought in, Reboot follows the activities of past collaborators. We are not afraid to pipe up down the line and point out missed opportunities. Because as the world changes, devised solutions — however bleeding-edge and effective they were at inception — will have to change as well.

Reboot strives to create lasting net-positives. Given the mandates of those we work with — civil society organizations, international development agencies, and global communications entities among them — it is imperative that we ask our partners, past and present, to be ever better.

Injecting Inspiration

Working across a range of sectors, Reboot brings unique, intra-disciplinary perspective to today’s challenges. We have facilitated and participated in ideation sessions for Microsoft, Millennium Promise, UNICEF, the World Bank, as well as with US and foreign government partners.