About Breakpoint

Breakpoint was created to answer a question I kept seeing in research work.

Breakpoint was created to answer a question I kept seeing in research work.

The Gap

Why do people often behave differently from what’s expected?

Why do people often behave differently from what’s expected?

Across years of research and campaigns I saw organisations collecting more data than ever, but they still often struggled to explain the human moments that matter most – why people get stuck, resist or disengage, or why they find another way forward, work around systems or move ahead of the support designed for them.

That is the gap Breakpoint exists to fill. We use survey research, behaviour-led analysis and strategic storytelling to find where behaviour breaks from the expected path – and what to do next.

Across years of research and campaigns I saw organisations collecting more data than ever, but they still often struggled to explain the human moments that matter most – why people get stuck, resist or disengage, or why they find another way forward, work around systems or move ahead of the support designed for them.

That is the gap Breakpoint exists to fill. We use survey research, behaviour-led analysis and strategic storytelling to find where behaviour breaks from the expected path – and what to do next.

Why I do this

I’m Ian Walker,

Research and insights specialist with a background across journalism, public relations and market research.

Breakpoint — Ian Walker

I founded Breakpoint to bring those three disciplines together. Every project starts with understanding the client's world, the decisions they need to make and the people whose behaviour matters. We then use structured research to test assumptions, uncover what is actually happening and turn the evidence into clear insight, strategy and stories.

I founded Breakpoint to bring those three disciplines together. Every project starts with understanding the client's world, the decisions they need to make and the people whose behaviour matters. We then use structured research to test assumptions, uncover what is actually happening and turn the evidence into clear insight, strategy and stories.

View our offerings

View our offerings

Where the experience comes from

I previously spent seven years at tech start-up Year13/Anyway running their youth research. In that role I designed and delivered large-scale market research projects across the business, government and education sectors, helping clients use insights to inform decisions, strengthen campaigns and shape public conversation.

  • Year13
  • Microsoft
  • KPMG

I led research projects for organisations including Microsoft, KPMG, Visa, Westpac, Raiz, The University of New England, Scape, The Department of Social Services, The Department of Education, Skills and Employment, The NSW Department of Education, The Digital Skills Organisation, and The Australian Minerals & Energy Skills Alliance.

I began my career in journalism at News Corp Australia and later worked as a freelance journalist overseas, with stories published by the BBC. That experience developed my instinct for finding the human story inside complex issues and telling it in a way people want to read.

The value of the work

Understand what is happening

Go beyond attitudes and intentions to understand what people are doing and how behaviour is changing.

Find where behaviour breaks from the expected path

Identify the tensions, drivers and gaps between what is expected and what actually happens.

Know what to do next

Turn the evidence into clear strategic implications, practical next steps and stories that can move people.

What is a breakpoint?

A behavioural breakpoint is the point where behaviour breaks from the expected path.

Finding it helps explain not just what people are doing, but why behaviour is changing – and what can move them forward.

A behavioural breakpoint is the point where behaviour breaks from the expected path.

Finding it helps explain not just what people are doing, but why behaviour is changing – and what can move them forward.

Find the breakpoint

Find the breakpoint