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Think Tank 2026

Bring what’s not working. Leave with clearer ways forward.

Your idea could shape how TasNetworks works. The Think Tank event is your opportunity to put it forward.

What is the think tank?

The TasNetworks Think Tank is a business-wide event held on 16 April 2026 where our people pitch ideas directly to a panel of senior leaders, including the CEO. It's a Shark Tank-style event — structured and energising, but built around collaboration, not competition. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need to have noticed something worth improving. The Think Tank is part of a broader program designed to put our people at the centre of how we improve and build a stronger organisation.


Already keen to get involved?

Submit your idea using the form below. You'll hear from us from 15 March with everything you need to take the next step.

 
 Get involved with the Think Tank
 
Questions? Visit the FAQ section below or speak to your leader.
 

Why a think tank?

We heard from you in our 2025 engagement surveys that you wanted to see action on your ideas, and an environment that supports innovation. This is your chance to raise the opportunities that you see in your work everyday! The best ideas will move forward, either implemented directly by the business, or into our inaugural Hackathon with the University of Tasmania and Amazon Web Services.  

Who can take part?

Everyone at TasNetworks — field crews, engineers, customer teams, corporate staff. All roles, all levels.
You don't need to be technical or consider yourself an 'ideas person'. You don't need a solution. If you've spotted a process that could work better, a repeated frustration, or an opportunity to do something smarter — that's enough to get started.
You can submit as an individual or as a team.

How it works

1.  Submit your idea before Tuesday 7 April 2026  using the form on this page. Tell us what you've noticed and why it matters.
2.  We'll be in touch with information on next steps and how to prepare your pitch.
3.  You'll be matched with a mentor  to help you shape your idea into a clear, structured 5-minute pitch.
4.  On 16 April, you'll pitch  to the executive panel in a high-energy event with both in-person and remote audience participation via MS Teams.
5.  The panel selects the strongest ideas against set criteria  and they move forward — into the business, or to the Hackathon.
 

Key dates

WHEN WHAT
Now Submit your idea via the online form on this page
17 March Submitters contacted with support and next steps
March – April Work with mentors to shape your pitch
16 April Think Tank event — pitch to the executive panel
Post-event Selected ideas progress to internal delivery or the Hackathon (25–27 May)

How ideas are judged

Each pitch is assessed by the executive panel on the following criteria:
 
CRITERION WHAT THE PANEL LOOKS FOR
Impact Potential effect on safety, people, customer outcomes or business performance
Clarity Quality of problem definition and supporting evidence
Presentation Engaging delivery that clearly communicates the problem and its significance
Consultation Evidence of stakeholder engagement and genuine consultation
Feasibility Realistic scope for prototype development and implementation
People's Choice The audience votes! Both in-person and remote participation via MS Teams
 All participants receive recognition for their contribution. Winning pitches progress to the next stage.

Where ideas go next

Selected ideas move forward in one of two ways:

— Solve It Here.  Implemented within TasNetworks — improving safety, efficiency and how we deliver for our customers. These become real improvement projects, delivered by our own teams.
— Scale It Further.  Progressed to our inaugural Hackathon (25–27 May 2026) — a three-day event at the Forest Building in Hobart, where we will work with University of Tasmania ICT students and Amazon Web Services to prototype solutions to our most complex challenges.

What's in it for you?

Taking part in the Think Tank is more than just pitching an idea. It's an opportunity to:

— Influence real change in how we work — directly, visibly, and with leadership backing
— Showcase your expertise and insights to senior leaders across the business
— Build skills in problem framing, presentation and stakeholder engagement
— Connect with colleagues, UTAS and AWS industry partners across the innovation journey.

Ready to get involved?

Submit your idea using the form below. You'll hear from us from 15 March with everything you need to take the next step.

 
 Get involved with the Think Tank


Questions? Visit the FAQ section below or speak to your leader. Get involved with the Think Tank.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What about Artificial Intelligence (A.I.?)
    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is technology that can analyse information, identify patterns and support faster, smarter decision-making. It can help automate repetitive tasks, reduce manual effort and free up time for more valuable, meaningful work.

    Our people are busy and focused on delivering for customers and communities. AI is one of many tools that can help reduce administrative burden and improve how we work. Some opportunities identified in the Think Tank event may have an AI. solution. Collaborating with Industry leaders – University of Tasmania and Amazon Web Services - in a Hackathon event will enhance how we explore AI solutions.
  • How do I get involved?
    Submit your idea using the form on this page. Once you’ve submitted, someone will be in touch within a few days with information on next steps and how to prepare your pitch.
    We’re also looking for mentors and champions to help others shape their ideas, strengthen their pitches and promote the Think Tank event across the business. If you’re interested in supporting in this way, please reach out to us, we’d love to hear from you
  • Can I submit anonymously?
    Submissions require your name so we can get in touch to support you in developing your pitch. Your submission won't be shared beyond the assessment process without your knowledge. If you have concerns about putting your name to a particular idea, reach out to the Think Tank team directly and we will work with you.
  • How much time will it take?
    The Think Tank is a set, time-boxed event on 16 April. In the lead-up, you'll have access to a mentor to help shape your pitch — this is designed to be manageable alongside your regular work. Taking part doesn't become an ongoing commitment unless you choose to stay involved after the event.
  • Is this extra work on top of my job?
    This is part of how we improve the way we work — not something separate from it. We know everyone is busy, so we’re making space where we can and leaders are supportive of people taking part.
    If there’s something that’s slowing you down or making work harder than it needs to be, this is an opportunity to have that problem prioritised and properly addressed. The time you invest now could lead to meaningful improvements that make your day-to-day easier in the future.
    You’ll also build valuable skills in problem-solving, pitching and shaping ideas — capabilities that are genuinely useful for your career development.
  • What happens on the day?
    Selected participants deliver 5-minute pitches to a judging panel of our Executive Leaders, including the CEO. The event is high-energy and engaging, with both in-person and remote audience participation. The audience also gets to vote through a People's Choice category. It's structured, but it's designed to be energising and enjoyable.
  • What happens on the day?
    The judging panel is made up of our Executive Leaders, including the CEO. Their role is to ask questions, assess each pitch and select the top ideas.

    Each pitch is evaluated on six criteria: Impact (effect on safety, people, customers or business performance), Clarity (quality of problem definition and evidence), Presentation (engaging delivery), Consultation (evidence of stakeholder engagement), Feasibility (realistic scope for implementation), and People's Choice (audience vote). All criteria carry weight in the final assessment.
  • What if my idea isn't selected?
    Not every idea can be progressed immediately, and that's okay. All submissions are valued — they help build a clearer picture of where TasNetworks can improve, and ideas not progressed now may be revisited in future improvement cycles.
  • What is the Hackathon?
    The Hackathon is a three-day event from 25–27 May 2026 at the Forest Building, 83 Melville Street, Hobart. TasNetworks partners with University of Tasmania ICT students (50+ students across disciplines including AI, software development, data analytics, cybersecurity and more) and Amazon Web Services technical experts to prototype real solutions to challenges identified through the Think Tank.
  • Will this actually lead to change?
    Yes. This program is designed to move from ideas to action. We are committed to progressing the strongest ideas. The Think Tank feeds directly into internal improvement work and, for the right ideas, into a fully resourced Hackathon with real partners and real outcomes.
     
  • What happens to any solutions developed at the Hackathon?
    Prototypes developed by UTAS students will be assessed for implementation potential by TasNetworks' team of digital experts, and a prioritised roadmap will be developed post-event. Strong projects may also progress into UTAS capstone projects in Semester 2 2026 or Semester 1 2027, creating a longer-term pipeline for development.
     
  • What if my idea involves a sensitive topic or raises a concern about current practice?
    Raising a genuine operational observation or improvement opportunity is exactly what this process is designed for. All submissions are treated respectfully and assessed on merit. If you're unsure how to frame something, your mentor can help. If your concern is more serious in nature, the project team will support you to identify the appropriate internal channels for this to progress, and remain available to you alongside TasNetworks existing people support options.
     
  • Will I be supported if I raise something uncomfortable?
    Yes. The Think Tank is a safe space to raise ideas without concern about it reflecting negatively on you or your team. The focus is on opportunities and improvement — not fault-finding or blame. Leaders have been briefed to support participation, and the process is built on our commitment to a psychologically safe, people-first culture.