Designing an Implementation Roadmap for Inclusive Recruitment

Building a more inclusive recruitment process requires more than updating policies or procedures.

Government agencies must balance fairness, consistency and transparency while ensuring recruitment practices remain practical, aligned with organisational priorities and capable of delivering better outcomes for candidates and hiring managers alike.

Holan partnered with a Commonwealth Government department to design and deliver a structured co-design program that transformed stakeholder feedback into an implementation-ready roadmap for inclusive recruitment.

Rather than producing a traditional review report, the engagement delivered a coordinated program of work designed to guide recruitment reform over the following two to three years.

The challenge

The department was undertaking a review of its recruitment practices to strengthen inclusion, improve consistency across recruitment processes and enhance the experience of candidates and hiring managers.

While extensive stakeholder engagement was planned, the department wanted to ensure the review produced practical outcomes rather than recommendations that would be difficult to implement.

It needed a structured approach that could bring together business areas, employee networks and HR representatives, build consensus across diverse perspectives and convert hundreds of ideas into a prioritised program of work aligned with broader workforce priorities.

Approach

Holan deployed a team of engagement and HR specalists within the department to design and deliver a collaborative co-design program built around the department’s established engagement methodology.

Our team:

• Established project governance by coordinating the program, supporting governance arrangements and providing end-to-end project management throughout the review.
• Facilitated collaborative co-design workshops across four thematic workstreams, bringing together business representatives, employee networks and HR stakeholders to examine recruitment practices and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Translated stakeholder insights into practical recommendations by analysing more than 200 improvement ideas and working collaboratively with stakeholders to develop prioritised initiatives informed by operational experience and organisational consensus.
• Developed an implementation roadmap by creating the department’s Inclusive Recruitment Uplift Program, comprising 25 prioritised actions organised into six strategic work packages, supported by an implementation roadmap, action delivery plans and detailed implementation guidance.

Outcome

• An implementation-ready roadmap for inclusive recruitment

Rather than delivering a conventional review report, the engagement established a coordinated Inclusive Recruitment Uplift Program designed to support implementation over the next two to three years.

The roadmap aligned strategic objectives with practical delivery activities, providing a clear pathway from consultation to implementation.

• Shared ownership across the organisation

By engaging business areas, employee networks and HR representatives throughout the co-design process, the department built confidence in the recommendations and ensured proposed improvements reflected operational realities as well as diverse stakeholder perspectives.

• A proven approach to collaborative reform.

The engagement demonstrated how structured co-design can move beyond consultation to build consensus, prioritise initiatives and develop practical implementation plans for complex organisational challenges.

The collaborative process strengthened stakeholder engagement while producing recommendations that were both achievable and supported across the organisation.

• Governance to support successful delivery

Alongside the implementation roadmap, the department received an integrated governance framework that included prioritisation, sequencing, action planning and delivery guidance.

This provided a strong foundation for managing inclusive recruitment reform as a coordinated program of work rather than a series of disconnected initiatives.

Want to learn more?

Improving inclusive recruitment requires more than identifying opportunities for change. Success depends on structured stakeholder engagement, practical implementation planning and governance that enables organisations to move confidently from consultation to delivery.

Holan partners with government agencies to design and deliver complex reform initiatives through collaborative co-design, program management and implementation planning.

If your organisation is looking to strengthen inclusive recruitment or deliver broader workforce transformation, our team can help turn strategic recommendations into practical outcomes.

What We Offer

Co-design & Facilitation

Designing and facilitating collaborative engagement processes that build stakeholder ownership, align diverse perspectives and translate ideas into practical organisational outcomes.

Program Design & Implementation Planning

Developing implementation roadmaps, action plans and governance frameworks that support coordinated, sustainable organisational change.

Project & Program Management

Providing experienced project leadership, governance and delivery support for complex government reform initiatives.

Workforce Transformation

Helping government agencies design and implement workforce initiatives that strengthen capability, improve employee experience and align with long-term strategic priorities.