SHA Innovates

How do we turn idea's into meaningful change across Saskatchewan's health system?

Across a complex health system, meaningful change depends on collaboration, evidence, and learning in action. SHA Innovates—part of the Strategy and Innovation portfolio—helps teams explore opportunities, solve complex problems, and move good ideas into action. We support leaders, clinicians, and staff to design, test, and scale improvements that strengthen care, collaboration, and system performance.

Our work brings together three core functions:

• Exploring what’s next. Through our Futures Lab, we identify emerging trends and future needs that shape where health care is heading. [Explore Trends We’re Watching]
• Designing with people. Our Design Lab uses a people-centered approach to help teams co-create and refine solutions with those closest to the work—patients, families, and care providers.
• Testing what works. Our Action Lab helps teams align people, processes, and systems early —ensuring solutions are practical, supported, and ready for adoption across the SHA.

Together, these functions create a structured yet flexible approach to innovation—grounded in evidence, informed by experience, and focused on impact.

SHA Innovates is also home to several programs that bring this approach to life:

• Clinical Pathways – coordinated, evidence-based guidance for consistent, high-quality care.
• Provincial Clinical Networks – collaborative structures that connect clinical expertise across the province.
• Innovation Awards – celebrating projects that advance better care and system learning.

The SHA Innovation Hub (iHub) was created to provide a structured end-to-end approach for turning inspiration into impact:

• Inspiration: Identifying challenges and opportunities through frontline insights, trends, and emerging practices.
• Ideation: Generating and refining ideas through collaboration, evidence, and testing.
• Integration: Applying disciplined experimentation to pilot and scale fit-for-purpose solutions that work.
• Impact: Measuring outcomes, sharing knowledge, and embedding successful innovations into everyday practice.

We work alongside leaders and teams to navigate this process—helping you explore possibilities, test solutions, and bring forward ideas that support SHA’s commitment to continuous improvement and safety.

The Futures Lab

Gain insights and foresight tools to help you and your team anticipate change, identify emerging opportunities, and shape long-term strategy.

• Horizon scanning and trend analysis to identify emerging opportunities
• Strategic foresight workshops to help leaders anticipate and prepare for change
• Scenario planning to explore possible futures and guide decision-making

The Design Lab

Co-develop solutions with stakeholders, test new ideas in a low-risk environment, and refine concepts to ensure they meet real-world needs.

• Collaborative problem-solving to generate and shape ideas
• Human-centered design methods to develop solutions with stakeholders
• Prototyping and iterative testing to refine concepts before full-scale implementation

The Action Lab

Validate your solution through structured testing, assess readiness for adoption, and develop a clear plan for scaling within the organization.

In collaboration with other SHA support services, we guide teams through six structured elements to evaluate and prepare solutions for adoption:

Validating the Solution

• Feasibility Assessment: Evaluating operational dependencies and real-world fit.
• Viability Assessment: Assessing resource needs and strategic alignment.
• Measures of Success: Defining metrics for impact and continuous improvement.

Ensuring Adoption Readiness

• Systems Mapping: Identifying human and systemic factors that influence adoption.
• System Alignment: Integrating solutions into policies, workflows, and structures.
• Capacity Building: Equipping teams with the skills, resources, and support needed for successful implementation and long-term sustainability.

Quality Improvement (QI) Readiness

Create real-world impact by turning innovation into “next” practices that support continuous improvement, driving lasting change across the health system.

• Supporting the transition from innovation to standard practice
• Aligning new solutions with existing quality and safety processes
• Building capacity for ongoing learning and system-wide improvement

How can we help you?

Whether you’re exploring a new idea, navigating a challenge, or looking to test and scale a solution, our team can help you move your work forward. [Contact SHA Innovates]