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Planning sheet

This planning sheet offers a simple way of structuring discussion about issues that may arise at different stages of developing an initiative. You can download the sheet as a Word file here.

This sheet can be used:

Below is an example of how the sheet could be used. These issues were generated at a workshop of practitioners considering start up of a community technology centre. The 'Key topics' menu and the summary of FAQs will provide more guidance on tackling issues, as they are developed.

Example of issues

 

Initiation/bidding

Start up

Operation

Sustainability

Planning and
resources

Scope overall process

Secure funding/
resources for pre-bid work

Identify target groups

Review groups special needs

Audit local resources: people, plant, premises, money

Review other project experience

Find support agencies

Detailed audits and needs assessments

Develop business plan and bid

Plan marketing

Monitoring and assessment

 

Community
involvement

Identify key interests

Network informally

Run visioning workshops

Run ‘fun’ projects

Visit, present, demonstrate

Consider language and other access issues

Plan launch

Celebrate any successes

Offer capacity building for local groups

Task groups

Personal programmes

Support champions

Open days

Work with local groups

 

Partnership

Identify partners: e.g. library, FE college

Recruit early helpers

Join national networks

Arrange visits, share ideas

Run visioning workshops

Engage with partners on projects and task groups

Negotiate partnerships agreements

 

 

Governance/
Management

Establish development group and ‘virtual centre/
organisation’

Address management, governance, staffing issues in business plan

Recruit key (funded) person , volunteers, tutors

Identify champions

Establish organisation or network

Recruit advisers

Begin staff and volunteer induction and training

Train trainers

Volunteer programme

Community business? Trust? Network of projects?

Technology

Brief/train development group on technology

Research likely technology

Develop initial technology requirements

Develop detailed technology plan to meet project needs

Recruit advisers, support

Develop initial network

Awareness raising, initial training

Install

Maintain, upgrade

Project
development

 

Early engagement projects

Fun projects for community involvement

Newsletter

Develop acceptable use policy

Get key people online

Online discussion

Evaluation and monitoring

Free access

Map changing content agenda

The game and planning tools may be used for nonprofit purposes with attribution to Making the Net Work http://www.makingthenetwork.org/pgame.

If you do use these tools, please give us feedback. David Wilcox david@makingthenetwork.org. More about us here.