Papers & Presentations
Community-based Strategic Planning
Using Modern Information Technology
David Grogan, Queensland
Mapro's main area of activity is community-based strategic planning for economic, cultural and social development. Regardless of the subject matter, strategic planning is generally carried out in the following stages:
- Research (from published sources and by surveys/field work)
- Consultation (with stakeholders, regulators etc)
- Vision, goals and objectives setting
- Brainstorming session (SWOT workshop or similar)
- Generation of long list of options (projects / programs)
- Evaluation of options to produce prioritised short list
- Preparation of Action Plans with budgets, timeframes and agreement of parties responsible for implementation
Based on two decades of experience, we have identified the following Principles of Community Development, which have informed our consulting practice and software development activities. They are:
- Community development is always strapped for cash
- Unless the management of community projects is made simple, quick and inexpensive, the project just won't happen;
- As soon as they are out of the room, people who said they would do stuff on your project get amnesia, unless you pin them down.
Mapro Executive Information System is database / web software designed according to these three principles. It brings best practice information technology together with an understanding of, and passion for, community development.
Biography
David Grogan is an experienced management consultant with a truly inter-disciplinary approach to integrated strategic planning. Trained in Queensland as an economist and environmental scientist, David also has a Master's Degree in Planning and a Post Graduate Diploma in business analysis.
David specialises in community-based strategic planning (primarily economic, cultural and social development) which generally suffers from lack of resources. In response, David has developed a strategic planning approach supported by software and use of up to date information technology. David is also co-author of “The Cultural Planning Handbook - An Essential Australian Guide” ( Allen & Unwin, 1995).