Ember Advisors

What we do

Nine specialist capabilities that support public and social sector clients across the full policy and delivery lifecycle.

Strategy and Advisory

Evidence-based strategic advice for public and social sector organisations, grounded in policy context and the evidence for change.

Data Strategy and Enablement

Helping organisations realise the value of the data they already hold  to unlock its potential and establish the necessary guardrails to protect it.

AI Enablement

AI and digital adoption for the public sector, grounded in governance, security and data sovereignty requirements.

Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning

The full spectrum of analytical technique, from descriptive reporting to machine learning deployed at national scale.

Population Modelling and Forecasting

Demand forecasts, population models and scenario analysis that inform how programs are designed, funded and adjusted.

Fraud and Compliance Analytics

Analytics that detect risk, support integrity oversight and inform treatment decisions defensibly and proportionately.

Data Engineering and Platforms

The pipelines, platforms and integrations that turn raw administrative data into analysis-ready assets.

Reporting, Dashboards and Visualisation

Digital reporting designed around the decisions it supports and not the data that happens to be available.

Process Refinement and Automation

Process mapping, workflow redesign and automation that ensures human effort is focused on what matters most.

The policy lifecycle

Nine capabilities, four stages of work.

Government work moves through the same four stages. Most engagements span several of them, and the nine capabilities apply in different combinations.

01
Strategy

Setting the direction. Data and AI strategies, operating models, business cases, and the framing of reform and transformation initiatives.

02
Policy Design and Modelling

Shaping the work. Forecasting demand, modelling populations, analysing scenarios and building the analytical evidence base before programs are designed.

03
Operational

Running the work. Dashboards and reporting, data engineering and pipelines, process automation, and analytical prioritisation.

04
Outcomes and Integrity

Measuring the work. Evaluation, outcome measurement, compliance analytics, and automated tools for identifying and treating risk.

Where each capability applies
Capability Strategy Policy design Operational Outcomes and integrity
Strategy and Advisory
Data Strategy and Enablement
AI Enablement
Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning
Population Modelling and Forecasting
Fraud and Compliance Analytics
Data Engineering and Platforms
Reporting, Dashboards and Visualisation
Process Refinement and Automation
Directly applies: Highly relevant for the stage Indirectly applies: Supports or feeds the stage Not applicable

Strategy and Advisory

Evidence-based strategic advice for public and social sector organisations, grounded in policy context and the evidence for change.

What we deliver
Strategic planning for divisions, programs and organisations
Operating model design and organisational redesign
Business case development and economic appraisal
Program evaluation and outcomes measurement
Questions we help answer

What is the strategic problem we are actually solving?

THE OPTIONS THE ONE WORTH TAKING OUTCOME

Data Strategy and Enablement

Helping organisations realise the value of the data they already hold  to unlock its potential and establish the necessary guardrails to protect it.

What we deliver
Data strategy and roadmap development
Data governance frameworks and operating models
Data sharing and access arrangements
Data capability uplift and training
Questions we help answer

We hold a lot of data. Where should we invest first?

ASSESSGOVERNENABLESCALE Where we areRules and rolesAccess and toolsReuse

AI Enablement

AI and digital adoption for the public sector, grounded in governance, security and data sovereignty requirements.

What we deliver
AI and GenAI strategy development
Responsible AI governance and assurance frameworks
Generative AI solution design and implementation
Document intelligence, search and summarisation
Questions we help answer

Where can AI genuinely improve outcomes, and how do we govern it?

GOVERNANCE AND ASSURANCE POLICY CORPUSRETRIEVEANSWER

Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning

The full spectrum of analytical technique, from descriptive reporting to machine learning deployed at national scale.

What we deliver
Machine learning and predictive modelling
Linked dataset analysis at national scale
Natural language processing and text analytics
Statistical testing and evaluation
Questions we help answer

Can we find the signal in the data we already collect?

SIGNAL MILLIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS

Population Modelling and Forecasting

Demand forecasts, population models and scenario analysis that inform how programs are designed, funded and adjusted.

What we deliver
Demand forecasting at regional, state and national scale
Scenario, sensitivity and microsimulation modelling
Cost projections and financial sustainability analysis
Workforce demand and supply modelling
Questions we help answer

What will this reform cost, and who will it reach?

COST /IMPACTDELTA WITH INTERVENTION STATUS QUO TODAY OUTCOME TIME

Fraud and Compliance Analytics

Analytics that detect risk, support integrity oversight and inform treatment decisions defensibly and proportionately.

What we deliver
Risk detection models and algorithms
Provider and participant risk profiling
Risk prioritisation and triage frameworks
Automated decision tools for risk treatment
Questions we help answer

Which of these cases are worth acting on?

PRIORITISED QUEUE POPULATION Most of the population is doing the right thing.

Data Engineering and Platforms

The pipelines, platforms and integrations that turn raw administrative data into analysis-ready assets.

What we deliver
Data pipeline design and automation
Data platform and warehouse design
System integration and interoperability
Data linkage, matching and quality controls
Questions we help answer

Can our systems actually deliver analysis-ready data?

SOURCE SYSTEMSANALYSIS-READY VALIDATETRANSFORM

Reporting, Dashboards and Visualisation

Digital reporting designed around the decisions it supports and not the data that happens to be available.

What we deliver
Executive and leadership dashboards
Program monitoring and oversight reporting
Interactive digital reports and self-service analytics
Public-facing reporting and transparency tools
Questions we help answer

Can leadership see how the program is actually tracking?

Process Refinement and Automation

Process mapping, workflow redesign and automation that ensures human effort is focused on what matters most.

What we deliver
Process mapping and current-state analysis
Workflow redesign and optimisation
Automated reporting and document generation
AI-enabled task automation
Questions we help answer

How much of this work still has to be done by hand?

ONE PROCESS, NINE STEPS AUTOMATED — SEVEN STEPS HUMAN JUDGEMENT — TWO STEPS The judgement steps are the point. Everything around them stops costing people time.
How we work

Our approach.

We blend analytics and management consulting toolkits, adapting our approach to each project's needs. Our work is guided by collaboration, precision, and a commitment to achieving the best outcomes for our clients.

Collaboration

We build relationships with clients and stakeholders, working together to achieve shared goals and successful outcomes.

Quality

We uphold excellence in all deliverables and services, maintaining high standards and continuous improvement.

Capability Building

We enhance client teams' data and analytics capabilities through growth, development, training, mentorship, and resources.

Communication

We utilise a toolkit of consulting techniques to communicate results, create compelling presentations, and craft professional documents.

Recent public work
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Strategy
NSW Department of Communities and Justice

Developing a whole-of-state family violence data strategy

Ten-year cross-agency data strategy developed through consultation with more than 100 stakeholders across 10 agencies, guiding collection, performance monitoring, and reporting across the domestic, family, and sexual violence system.

Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Operational
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Modernising the data backbone of a $2 billion primary care program

Automating data processes, developing operational dashboards, and supporting annual reporting for a major Commonwealth program spanning 31 regional primary care networks across Australia.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Outcomes and integrity
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

Risk indicators for disability scheme oversight

Development of risk indicators and market risk assessments to support scheme oversight and integrity.

If you're shaping a decision that matters to the public, let's talk.

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