One golden rule stands out regarding strategic planning in government: involve everyone.
True democracy thrives when all voices are heard and actionable insights guide decision-making. So, how do you gather input from diverse stakeholders, synthesize it into meaningful themes, and prioritize focus areas that reflect the community’s collective aspirations? Nick Kittle, a recognized leader in government innovation, shares some practical tips.
A practical approach to inclusive decision-making
Start with Inclusive Surveys
Surveys are the cornerstone of understanding what stakeholders value. Each group brings unique perspectives from community members to employees and council members.
Here’s how to make it work:
1. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Instead of yes/no responses, dive deeper. Questions like, “What is your vision for 2030?” or “What headline would you like to see about our community in 50 years?” invite thoughtful, visionary answers. Nick Kittle emphasizes the importance of asking open-ended questions that allow stakeholders to articulate their aspirations and concerns freely.
2. Use AI for Analysis
Open-ended responses can result in hundreds of pages of comments an overwhelming task to tackle manually. AI tools can sift through this data, identifying key themes and common concerns. For example, recurring mentions of “safer streets” or “better transit” point directly to public priorities. AI can transform overwhelming data into actionable themes, making focusing on what matters most easier.
By starting with surveys, you ensure a wide net is cast, gathering input representing the broader community.
Reflect and Synthesize
Once you’ve collected survey data, it’s time to reflect it to stakeholders. Think of this as holding up a mirror: “Here’s what we heard.” The goal isn’t to insert your opinions but to validate the voices that contributed.
This step might involve:
1. Sharing Results Transparently
Present key themes, such as public safety, economic development, or infrastructure, in a way that’s easy to digest.
2. Hosting Roundtables or Focus Groups
These smaller settings encourage dialogue and help you refine insights. Ask questions like, “Which of these themes resonates most?” or “What’s missing?”
1. Sharing Results Transparently
Present key themes, such as public safety, economic development, or infrastructure, in a way that’s easy to digest.
2. Hosting Roundtables or Focus Groups
These smaller settings encourage dialogue and help you refine insights. Ask questions like, “Which of these themes resonates most?” or “What’s missing?”
Nick Kittle insists on the importance of transparency during this stage. By synthesizing open-ended input into clear, thematic insights, you ensure that stakeholders see their contributions valued and respected.
Democratizing Decision-Making
The magic of democracy is involving everyone in the decision-making process. Here’s how to translate themes into actionable focus areas:
1. Facilitate Discussion
Bring together a mix of stakeholders, from elected officials to staff and community members. Use the synthesized themes as a starting point.
2. Use Voting Tools
Techniques like sticker voting allow participants to prioritize focus areas. For example, stakeholders might place stickers next to the most important themes, such as “affordable housing” or “environmental sustainability.”
3. Encourage Consolidation
If there are too many themes, look for overlaps. Public safety and infrastructure, for example, might merge into a broader focus area like “community resilience.”
4. Aim for Consent, Not Consensus
Remember, the goal is progress. If stakeholders don’t all agree but have no major objections, that’s still a win. Keep moving forward.
Kittle’s insights remind us that consent is about eliminating significant objections, not achieving perfect agreement. This pragmatic approach ensures momentum without stalling over minor disagreements.
From Themes to Objectives
With focus areas identified, the next step is creating actionable objectives. These should be clear, measurable, and rooted in your developed themes. Strong objectives include:
1. Action Verbs
Words like “Build,” “Invest,” or “Develop” signal momentum and clarity.
2. Descriptive Terms
Pair the verb with a clear goal, such as “Build a resilient economy” or “Develop affordable housing options.”
Brainstorm these objectives with stakeholders, giving everyone a chance to contribute. Then, use prioritization tools like voting to identify the top three to seven objectives under each focus area. As Kittle often notes, actionable objectives transform broad focus areas into specific, measurable steps forward.
Need help with your objectives?
Keeping It Flexible and Focused
Government priorities shift. Elections happen. Staff members move on. To ensure your plan stays relevant:
1. Focus on a Five-Year Horizon
Long-term plans are essential, and strategic objectives should be achievable within five years to maintain momentum.
2. Iterate When Necessary
Revisit and refine objectives as circumstances evolve, ensuring alignment with current needs.
Building Buy-In Through the Process
The most successful plans aren’t just crafted; they’re embraced. Involving stakeholders at every stage from surveys to prioritization to finalizing objectives creates ownership and buy-in. When people see their input reflected in the final plan, they’re more likely to support and champion its implementation. As Kittle advocates, building buy-in isn’t a one-time effort but an ongoing process of engagement and validation.
Wrapping Up
Inclusive, democratic decision-making isn’t just an ideal; it’s a practical approach to crafting plans that work. By involving all stakeholders, synthesizing insights, and prioritizing collaboratively, you can create focus areas and objectives that truly reflect your community’s needs. The result? A strategic plan that’s as actionable as it is inclusive. So, gather your team, roll your sleeves, and build the future together.