Leveraging Behavioral Science to Design Slalom’s SHIFT Framework
Adaptability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a critical competency for navigating the complexities of the modern workplace. During my PsyD practicum at Slalom Consulting, I had the privilege of working as a Cognitive Design Strategist within the GenAI team. I leveraged my expertise in behavioral science to design a system for information retrieval and to craft impactful assessment result presentations for the SHIFT framework, an innovative adaptability quotient assessment designed to empower teams to navigate change and achieve success in dynamic work environments.
The Challenge
Organizations increasingly face complex challenges driven by rapid technological advancements, shifting market dynamics, and evolving customer expectations. These challenges demand a workforce that can adapt quickly and effectively to new situations. However, assessing and developing adaptability within teams remained a complex and often overlooked area.
The Solution: The SHIFT Framework
To address this challenge, Slalom Consulting developed the SHIFT framework, an adaptability quotient assessment tool designed to measure and enhance adaptability in the workplace. The framework assesses key behaviors and cognitive skills essential for thriving in changing environments.
Cognitive Design Strategist
My primary focus was on designing and writing the assessment result presentations and designing a system for information retrieval, ensuring they were:
Key Contributions
- Narrative Development: Crafting compelling narratives that weave together assessment data, behavioral science insights, and real-world examples to create personalized stories of growth and development for each client.
- Content Creation: Developing a comprehensive library of content, including explanations of key adaptability concepts, guidance on interpreting assessment results, and actionable strategies for improvement.
- Feedback Integration: Collaborating with the wider GenAI team to gather feedback on the presentations and iterate on the design to ensure maximum impact and effectiveness.
- Information Retrieval System Design: Architecting and implementing a robust system for information retrieval that enabled the identification and analysis of complex user archetypes, enhancing the granularity and precision of the assessment.
Outcomes and Impact
The assessment result presentations and information retrieval system I designed played a crucial role in the success of the SHIFT framework by:
- Empowering Clients: Providing clients with clear, actionable insights into their adaptability strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to take ownership of their development.
- Driving Behavior Change: Framing feedback in a way that motivated individuals and teams to adopt new behaviors and strategies for enhancing adaptability.
- Facilitating Meaningful Conversations: Creating a common language and framework for discussing adaptability within organizations, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
- Enhancing the Value of the SHIFT Framework: Making the assessment results more accessible, engaging, and impactful for clients, ultimately increasing the overall value of the tool.
- Enabling Deeper Analysis: The information retrieval system allowed for a more nuanced understanding of user archetypes, leading to more targeted recommendations and interventions.
The Wrap-Up
By leveraging my expertise in behavioral science, cognitive design, and information architecture, I was able to make significant contributions to the development of Slalom’s SHIFT framework. This project showcases my ability to translate complex data into meaningful insights, design user-centric solutions, and drive positive change in the workplace. The SHIFT framework is a testament to the power of combining scientific rigor with practical application to foster adaptability and empower individuals and teams to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Haley Forest 