Specialization

Digital Transformation Strategy

Readiness audits, capability models, and transformation roadmaps for public and private sector.

About This Offering

SYSTEMshift helps organizations navigate complex change with clarity and alignment. We lead digital transformation strategy grounded in user experience, data architecture, and cross-functional collaboration. From defining your current maturity to building actionable roadmaps, we guide teams toward scalable, service-oriented futures.

This work integrates AI, automation, governance, and human-centered design to help organizations modernize responsibly.

Services Include

→ Digital Readiness Audits
→ Capability Mapping & Future-State Modelling
→ Transformation Roadmaps & Prioritization
→ Cross-Silo Service Alignment
→ Ethical Tech & Governance Integration
→ AI-Enhanced Systems Planning
→ Stakeholder Co-Creation Workshops

Featured Projects

Canada.ca – MyServiceCanada Architecture (2020)

→ Unified siloed benefit systems under one AI-enhanced experience vision
→ Proposed proactive eligibility detection using Watson/Curam stack
→ Mapped future-state experience across departments

Nova Scotia Health Authority: Vaccination Strategy (2021)

→ Facilitated co-creation across healthcare delivery orgs
→ Designed transformation blueprint for digital vaccination access
→ Created design artifacts adopted province-wide

Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture & Heritage (2021)

→ Discovery sessions with government teams across departments
→ Designed North Star for digital culture and tourism services
→ Prioritized transformation needs through collaborative roadmapping

TD UX Research Repository (2023)

→ Strategic shift from tactical projects to an enterprise knowledge system
→ Enabled 11,500 hours/year in saved research effort
→ Integrated governance and reuse models into daily practice

BMO Trident Product Bundle – Experience Blueprint (2020)

→ Mapped current-state friction across financial products
→ Created insight-driven roadmap to unify onboarding and servicing
→ Delivered strategic artifacts to support enterprise design operations

About Bernadette

Bernadette Smail is the founder of SYSTEMshift and a former IBM iX consultant with over 15 years of experience in UX, AI, and digital transformation. She’s led strategic programs for TD Bank, Air Canada, the Government of Canada, and more. Certified by IBM (AI Product Manager) and Harvard (CORe), Bernadette helps teams move from insight to implementation with clarity and ethics.

Ideal Clients

→ Government teams modernizing public services
→ Banks and enterprises unifying legacy systems
→ Founders designing future-ready platforms
→ Strategy and product leaders needing cross-silo alignment

Credentials

Testimonials & Recognition

Endorsements from UX, AI & Business Leaders

Helen Romano

Head of IBM iX

Bernadette is an exceptional UX/UI researcher and designer. Her strategic insights and design expertise consistently delivered impactful solutions, making her highly sought after by clients and product teams alike.

Ranvir Malik

Senior Managing Consultant

IBM Canada

You are outstanding—you make a difference. Your unselfish support introduced us to the Mural universe, leading to transformative collaboration.

TD CCaaS Genesys Integration

Uddipana Baishya

Senior Design Researcher

TD Invent

Bernadette, your blend of skills is truly impressive. Managing repository design, development, testing, and debugging as a one-woman team was remarkable. You handled a heavy workload under tight deadlines with composure and adaptability, always eager for feedback and continuous improvement.

TD UX Research Repository