Strategic Doing: Turning Ideas into Action

What is Strategic Doing?

Strategic Doing is a fast, flexible way to turn ideas into action. Unlike traditional strategic planning, which can take months or years, Strategic Doing helps people quickly find common goals and take immediate, practical steps forward. It’s especially useful when working on complex challenges that require collaboration across different groups.

The process is built around structured conversations that help teams make the most of their existing resources, strengthen partnerships, and create real impact. We use it because it aligns with the co-creation approach of Living Labs—helping people work together in new and effective ways.

Strategic Doing is an open-source framework, developed by Ed Morrison and a network of practitioners at Purdue University. Learn more at strategicdoing.net.

Want to explore how Strategic Doing can help your project or organisation?

We offer Strategic Doing workshops that help teams and organisations get started with this method. Our workshops are hands-on, practical, and tailored to the needs of your group.

Want to learn more or explore how Strategic Doing can help your project or organisation?

Get in touch with us—we’d love to chat about how we can support you.
Collaborate with us on our Living Lab projects.

Why Strategic Doing Matters for Living Labs

Living Labs thrive on co-creation—bringing together diverse stakeholders to test, refine, and implement innovative ideas. However, moving from discussion to action can be challenging, especially when working across different sectors.

Strategic Doing provides a structured yet flexible approach that aligns with Living Lab methodologies. It enables:

Faster decision-making – Instead of endless planning, groups can quickly identify shared goals and take action.

Stronger collaborations – Encourages open participation and taps into collective expertise.
Sustainable innovation – Builds momentum through small, measurable steps that lead to long-term impact.

"In one of our workshops, we brought together aged care providers, researchers, and community members to explore ways to improve social connections for older people. Within a few hours, participants identified key opportunities and committed to concrete next steps, including trialling a new digital platform and testing different engagement strategies in local communities."

What You Can Expect from a Strategic Doing Workshop

Actionable Outcomes – You’ll leave with a clear path forward, not just ideas.
Stronger Networks – Build connections with people who can help make things happen.
Practical Skills – Learn a method you can use in your own projects.
Momentum & Accountability – Keep moving with regular check-ins and progress tracking.