Analysis of the action plans and key issues

The table below summarises the action plans developed by the island groups and the strategy group.

The strategy group worked with all cards to establish priorities. The first column shows where cards were also chosen by island group.

The second column shows how many time a card was chosen groups. The next column lists the card titles.

The rest of the columns show where cards were placed on action planning sheets in terms of timescale and priority.

N=Not chosen by any island group

No. of
group
choices

Islands+ strategy
groups

Cards and additional ideas from groups

Timescale * = where placed by strategy group

Priority * = where placed by strategy group

Short

Med

Long

High

Med

Low
 

3

Champion support

3*

    

3*

    
 

3

Helpdesk

2

1*

  

2

1*

  
 

3

Trouble shooting

1*

2

  

3*

    
 

3

Island websites

1

2*

    

3*

  
 

3

Online participation

1*

1

1

3*

    
 

3

E-commerce

  

2

1*

1

1

1*
 

3

Champion procedures

1

  

2*

2

1*

  
 

2

Needs research

1*

1

  

2*

    
 

2

2000Friends Forum

  

2*

  

1

1*

  
 

2

Web correspondents

1

1*

    

2*

  
 

2

Visioning workshops

  

1*

1

1

1*

  
 

2

Family projects

    

2*

  

2*

  
 

2

Ask the experts

    

2*

  

2*

  

N

1

Tutor support

1*

    

1*

    

N

1

Youth projects

  

1*

    

1*

  

N

1

Stories on the web

  

1*

    

1*

  

N

1

Online learning

  

1*

    

1*

  

N

1

Virtual twinning

  

1*

    

1*

  

N

1

Email newsletters

  

1*

    

1*

  

N

1

History and Genealogy

    

1*

  

1*

  

N

1

Services Online

    

1*

    

1*

N

1

Multimedia projects

    

1*

    

1*

Project ideas added by island groups or strategy group (=*)
 

1*

Portal full of content

  

1*

    

1*

  
 

1*

Resolve connectivity issues

1*

    

1*

    
 

1

Infrastructure deployment

1

    

1

    
 

1

Marketing and community co-ordinator

1

    

1

    
 

1

Computer - provide training for self help

1

      

1

  
  1

Lobbying, fundraising for sustainability

  

1

    

1

  

The cards chosen by both the island and strategy groups were a mix of support for champions, community engagement and research, and online projects. They were - in no order of priority:

Support

  • Champion support
  • Helpdesk
  • Trouble shooting
  • Champion procedures

Engagement and research

  • Needs research
  • Visioning workshops

Online projects

  • Island websites
  • Online participation
  • E-commerce
  • 2000Friends Forum
  • Web correspondents
  • Family projects
  • Ask the experts

Where projects were added, these were:

  • Portal full of content
  • Resolve connectivity issues
  • Deploy infrastructure
  • Training
  • Marketing and community coordinator
  • Lobbying, fundraising for sustainability

Request from champions

There was limited time for plenary discussion (lunch was due) but two key issues were raised through flip chart notes

  • 'We need more computer memory, and more video memory'
  • Support before hardware

David Wilcox reported that he had taken the following points from discussion groups and the action plans.

  • Priority should be given to technical and other support for general users and for the champions.
  • This and the development of a clear vision, and community engagement, were as import at this stage as specific digital projects.
  • It was now time for taking stock, and working on the next stage of the project now PCs had been delivered and the portal opened.
  • There was considerable enthusiasm - but time is short to turn this into a plan for sustainability before funding runs out.

Analysis: key issues

The key issues from the SWOC analysis and scenarios would be no surprise to those closely involved in the project.

Weaknesses and challenges frequently mentioned were:

  • Technical problems including lack of memory in computers
  • The need for continuing training, troubleshooting and support
  • Problems engaging new users with the potential of the technology, when they had other priorities
  • The time it takes to ‘get up to speed’ with the technology
  • Digital champions stretched
  • The possibility people will drop out when free Internet access ends

At the same time, champions seemed to continue to be confident that the technology was relevant to the problems of isolation, lack of services and other facilities facing island community. Opportunities and strengths that could be developed included:

  • Bringing communities together
  • Access to information
  • New technology skills
  • Empowerment for individuals and communities
  • Business opportunities

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