Creative thinking meets trusted expertise – delivering practical insights, innovative solutions and the
confidence to act decisively.

Our Process
Lightbulb with radiating lines, representing understanding.

Understand

We take time to understand your goals, the context in which you are operating, and any problems that need solving. We ask questions and challenge conventional thinking to ensure we know what needs doing and are prepared to get more data if required. We'll work with you to identify the project governance and intended audience of any outputs. 

Connected pathway with three nodes, showing structured process flow and methodical approach

Plan

No two jobs are the same, so we start by working with you to develop a project plan that fits your needs and organisational expectations. Our roadmaps are our blueprint for success - careful planning prevents a lot of problems later in the project. 

3D cube with expanding piece, representing scalable, structured solutions and delivery of outcomes.

Deliver

We make sure our team is aligned, we're meeting our deadlines, and our clients and partners are kept informed. We take a proactive approach and focus on solutions, while keeping risk management in mind - we raise problems with clients early and lead with empathy. We ensure we support capability development of those we work with. 

Magnifying glass with checklist elements, depicting thorough analysis and evidence-based review.

Review

After working to find solutions to our clients’ challenges, we hold ‘sensemaking sessions’ with key stakeholders to test our findings and recommendations. There are no surprises in our final delivery, and clients have the chance to give feedback during the process.

Puzzle pieces forming a complete solution, with center piece highlighted to show the puzzle is being finished.

Close

We make sure we have the chance to capture valuable insights from every completed project, identify areas for improvement, and take the time to celebrate our team's achievements. This is a key part of our culture of continuous learning, enabling us to refine our process for the next project. 

The project team at Allen + Clarke exemplified how project management should deliver in practice. Impressive from start to finish.

General Manager

Te Rangihaeata Ora

Working with the Allen + Clarke team was extremely easy and an enjoyable experience.

Health Advisor

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Quality

Our quality systems allow us to guarantee an excellent product. We are independently certified as being complaint with ISO9001:2015E Quality Management Systems – this means we adhere to international standards for quality management practices.

Our project management approach is underpinned by a commitment to ‘no surprises’ meaning transparent stakeholder management and open and regular communication with clients about progress and any risks.

Business handshake over open documents and laptop, signifying partnership agreement with Allen + Clarke branded materials visible.
People

The People Who make it happen

Jacqui Haggland
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Anton Davis
Director Consulting (NZ)
Book a time
Adam Emirali
Group Marketing Director
Book a time
Alice Palmer
Consultant
Book a time
Anna Gribble
Clinical Guidance Lead
Dr Brendan Stevenson
Quantitative Analytics Lead
Book a time
Jodie O'Neill
Strategy + Planning Lead (NZ)
Book a time
Dr Bo Ning
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Charlene Harvey
Regulatory Strategy + Practice Lead (NZ)
Book a time
Craig Griffiths
Innovation + Engagement Lead
Book a time
Dr Fiona Scott-Melton
Performance + Impact Lead (NZ)
Book a time
Jaqui Taituha Ngawaka
Governance + Te Ao Māori Advisory Lead (NZ)
Book a time
Jason Carpenter
Director Business Development (NZ)
Book a time
Jeremy Markham
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Marnie Carter
Evaluation Lead
Book a time
Matt Allen
Chief Executive Officer
Book a time
Nathan Liu
Consultant
Book a time
Ned Hardie-Boys
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Nick Leffler
Organisational Design + Change Lead
Book a time
Philippa Tinetti
Consultant
Book a time
Dr Rebecca Gray
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Rob Smith
Regulatory Implementation Lead (NZ)
Book a time
Sean Stack
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Stephanie James
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Stuart Beresford
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Susan Cook
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Briony Jain
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Chelsea Holcombe
Consultant
Book a time
Corinne Wengrow
Consultant
Book a time
Eleanor Jenkin
Impact + Insights Lead
Book a time
Jodie Lee
Design and Publications Adviser
Book a time
Juliette Davies
Consultant
Book a time
Linda Gyorki
Director Consulting (AU)
Book a time
Milo McKay
Consultant
Book a time
Paul Houliston
Senior Partner
Book a time
Sam Byfield
Policy Lead (AU)
Book a time
Sarah McDowell
Regulatory Lead (AU)
Book a time
Dr Tafadzwa Machirori
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Toby Black
Consultant
Book a time
William Morgan
Consultant
Book a time
Kylie Berg
Director Business Development (AU)
Book a time
Emma Keleher
Strategy + Planning Lead (AU)
Book a time
Julian Alban
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Caroline Crothers
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Ariane La Porte
Consultant
Book a time
Malar Thiagarajan
Senior Consultant
Book a time
Kelsey Morrison
Senior Consultant
Book a time

Find out how we can help you, 
Book a Discovery Session

Get clarity on your challenge with our free one-hour discovery session - no obligation, just practical insights on how we can help.

How we measure success


  • Technical - Quality is non-negotiable. Success means having the right expertise available and following the right processes to ensure our clients receive a high-quality service. 

  • Relationship - Our relationship with our clients is at the heart of what we do. While we take our work seriously, we bring a friendly and engaging approach that makes collaboration enjoyable. Success means our clients are happy and we have built solid relationships with key stakeholders.

  • Delivery - Successful delivery isn't just about completing a project to deadline and within budget. It means delivering each project so it makes a real impact for our client, their stakeholders and the community. 

Triangle diagram showing interconnected pillars of success: Technical expertise (brain icon), Relationship management (handshake), and Delivery excellence (checklist).
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Allen + Clarke's process different from other consulting firms?

What sets us apart is our values and our ways of working. While many consulting firms focus on outputs, our people are driven by a desire to make a genuine impact. We work with you to design solutions meaning we don't parachute in with an already formed answer. We take time to understand the context, to question and challenge, build relationships, and generate solutions that work for you. 

Above all, when you work with Allen + Clarke you get a team that give a damn about your success, and a team that brings energy, integrity and enthusiasm to every project we undertake. 

Can your process be customised for different types of projects?

Absolutely - flexibility is one of our strengths. For each project we tailor the activities, timeframes and approach to suit your specific context. We focus on what will bring the most value to each client based on their specific needs and situation. We can also offer solutions at different price points to meet varied needs. 

What are 'sensemaking sessions'?

Sensemaking sessions are part of our way of testing findings and recommendations with key stakeholders. Unlike a traditional presentation, these sessions are designed to be interactive, with discussions, challenge and refinement occurring. Sensemaking sessions allow us to pressure-test our thinking, uncover blind spots and ensure our recommendations work and will meet our client's needs. We have found that sensemaking sessions help to build buy-in from stakeholders, lead to more robust recommendations and more successful implementation. 

How do you incorporate client feedback into your process?

We see feedback as a way to help us continually improve. Our project management approach incorporates multiple opportunities for client feedback including formal review points and more informal regular check-ins. When you provide feedback, we listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, and discuss the implications of any changes. The collaborative approach ensures that the results align with your expectations while leveraging our respective expertise. The result is deliverables that genuinely meet your needs rather than just ticking the box. 

How do you handle changes to project scope or requirements?

We understand that as a project progresses, your needs might change or new information might emerge. Our project management approach is designed to allow us to be flexible and thoughtfully manage any changes that might arise. When a change occurs, we assess the implications for timeframes, resources and deliverables, and then discuss options transparently. We work towards a collaborative solution - helping you to make informed decisions about priorities and trade-offs ensuring that the overall project outcomes are always kept in mind. 

 

How do you ensure knowledge transfer to clients?

Effective knowledge transfer means your team can maintain momentum after the project ends. In every project, we aim that the client's team emerges with more knowledge and an ability to keep the work going. This might mean clear documentation, capability building opportunities, and structured handover processes. We focus on sharing not just what we did, but why and how we did it, the insights we gained, and the lessons learned. This ensures that the value of our work extends beyond the project's formal conclusion.