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In early 2021 we were asked to support two initiatives in South-East Queensland by undertaking a developmental evaluation of how they collaborated across multiple partners to reduce, prevent and ultimately end homelessness. The initiatives, Brisbane and Logan Zero, started with the ‘Advance to Zero’ methodology, and adapted this as they progressed. We were asked to track how contributors collaborated to tackle the systemic nature of this challenge. This gave us the opportunity to work with both initiatives over a two year period to reflect back to them how change was happening towards the outcome, and to track learnings focused on systemic change along the way. While the evaluation report captures the details of this exploration, there were a myriad of insights from the process that could inform other systemic innovation initiatives - so this Learnbook outlines these. So much can be learnt from these initiatives that could help others seeking to create multi-sector and multi-organisation alliances for systemic change. Systemic work is, by its very nature, complex work. Anyone who is embarking on this type of work needs to be comfortable with learning forward, and working with diverse approaches that are context dependent. We share learnings not to suggest that this is ‘the’ way to undertake systems innovation, but to share one way that is showing promise in a particular context. This Learnbook outlines four key insights that could inform systemic change initiatives. 1. Human systems are complex and dynamic. When we are working in complex domains, we need to ‘learn forward’. 2. Shifting systems requires collaboration across multiple structures, sectors and organisations. The way collaboration is organised shapes action. And if the context is complex, then organising needs to be adaptive. 3. Leading systemic shifts is about collaborating, sharing power and distributing action. Governance models need to adapt to dynamic action and collaborative leading. 4. Data is critical, but let’s be clear about the type of data that is needed and how it is used. Action towards systemic change in human systems requires human-centred, lead data.