CPSU fulfilled its mission primarily through ongoing programmes for externally funded research projects, a series of events, and an extensive body of briefings and publications.

CPSU projects aimed to change the way people thought, for instance, about youth engagement, legal reform, international aid architecture, food security and assisting developing and small island states to maximise the opportunities of globalisation.

In addition, CPSU raised the quality of policy-making by governments, intergovernmental organisations, business and civil society, and local communities.

With projects such as these, CPSU put the policy choices before the Commonwealth into sharper focus, exploring options and suggesting new directions.

The CPSU ran conferences, dialogues, workshops and seminars which are typically held at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies.