A framework for project and system planning			Printer Friendly
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	Checklist Summary
	Checklist in Full

These checklists should you planning an online project or system. They cover getting started through to long-term management, and within the main stages deal with the ‘people’ and organisational issues as well as technology and content.

Checklist summary

Getting started

·        Understanding the context. What’s happening now. What of the future.

·        Understanding the Net. The main benefits and Net tools.

·        Defining the scope. Who is the system for, who will ‘own’ it. What resources.

·        Checking reality. What works, what doesn't

·        Developing a shared vision. Make sure everyone has a similar picture of the future.

·        Getting people connected. What technology may be appropriate.

·        Building awareness and involvement. Helping people understand and engage.

·        Providing training and support. Basics and more advanced use of the Net.

·        Building partnerships. Finding collaborators and working with them.

·        Business planning. Funding, staffing, management structures, procedures.

·        Installing and supporting technical systems. Supporting users.

·        Developing content. What type of material. What media. How controlled.

·        Supporting personal interests and development. Focusing on users.

·        Building online communities. Related to existing networks, or new.

·        Delivering services online. Enhancing existing; developing new.

·        Meeting special and interests and needs. Key groups – age, gender, ethnicity.

·        Enhancing community-wide strategies. Models for regeneration, community development.

·        Maintaining systems and user commitment.

·        Managing organisation.

These checklists also link to cards and planning sheet

Checklists in full

Getting started

As well as getting up to speed on the technology, it is important to take stock of what is already happening locally and elsewhere, and what lessons other people can offer. Most important, address the ‘why’ questions: who will benefit and in what way.

·        What is already happening? Audit local activities, organisations, resources.

·        What is happening elsewhere? What models are people following.

·        What future technology developments are likely to be important.

·        What are the main nonprofit benefits of the Net? Information, communication, collaboration, visibility, management, services.

·        What are the main tools? Email; web; and much else. Each provides particular benefits and has specific requirements.

·        What are the different connectivity options?  Dial up, ADSL, cable, TV, satellite, wireless.

·        Are you and others involved in the project using the Net? Get the core group online and using some of the technology you plan to offer to others.

·        What will be the main focus? Local community; community of interest; organisational; personal.

·        Where will the benefits lie for those involved and how will they be evaluated? Reducing service delivery costs; enabling users; supporting community-wide initiatives.

·        Who will develop and control the different elements of the systems described below? Access, training, content etc. Where will ‘ownership’ lie?

·        What resources are available? How will any system be maintained in the longer term?

·        How will online communication be designed into overall local communication systems? What is in use now; what do users prefer.

·        What lessons are there from elsewhere.

·        How realistic are your ambitions.

What is involved in planning and developing projects? Not just technology but user involvement, partnerships, management, sustainability. There has to be a shared vision – or picture of the future – among those involved.

·        Run demonstrations and workshops. Prioritise activities (including those in these checklists).

·        Identify champions for different activities and form ‘teamlets’.

·        Set up an interim management system to carry the project through.

·        How will people be connected from the options you have investigated? Dial up; broadband (ADSL or cable); digital TV; wireless; satellite.

·        Who will provide Internet services, and how extensive will these be? Basic services; or special applications.

·        What equipment will be used? PCs; laptops; TVs. New or recycled. Free; loaned; purchased.

·        Where will there be access? Personal/mobile; home; work; community or public facilities. Free; subsidised or paid for.

·        What identity will users have?  Email addresses for all; opt in.

·        How will connectivity and access be organised? DIY or planned provision?

·        What consideration is being given to disabilities and user preferences? For far will the system be accessible to all.

·        How will benefits be promoted? Awareness campaigns; demonstrations.

·        How will user needs be researched? Surveys; workshops.

·        How will systems be developed to involve users? Centres; personal options; group options.

·        What training will be provided? Computer basics; Internet basics; advanced.

·        How will training be offered? Formal courses; informal and exploratory; centres or mobile.

·        What support will be offered? Technical only; personal and organisational; online, phone, face to face.

·        Free or paid for? Staff or volunteers.

·        Where will there be centres for access and shared learning? Community centres; schools; libraries.

·        What existing networks might use the system and benefit from it?

·        Who will be the champions? How will you support them?

·        How will you make sure that partners have a shared understanding of what is involved – and what is expected?

·        What business model do you have in mind? Subscriptions, selling services, continual fundraising, volunteers – or a mix?

·        Do you have funding for capital and revenue – and for how long?

·        What organisational structure may be appropriate? Within existing organisation, community enterprise, charitable company, nonprofit company, coop.

·        What management procedures will be needed for the technology, user support, content development, finance.

Making the project happen, or setting up the system, involves continuing with the development work above, installing the technology, supporting the users and then developing content and services.

·        Continuing development work

·        Setting up administrative and support systems centrally and for users.

·        What range of content is relevant to those using the system? Who decides.

·        Who develops and controls the content? How is content managed. What is acceptable.

·        What is the best way of delivering content . Email or web? Audio or video – or all of these?

·        How will online content relate to other content?

·        Will there be formal or informal learning opportunities?

·        Will there be signposts to relevant material?

·        Will the project or system help develop an online community or network?

·        Are you familiar with online communities?

·        Can the system offer relevant tools (email and web)?

·        How can online communities enhance democracy or participation?

·        Will the online community ‘map onto’ existing networks?

·        How will online services relate to other (non-online) service delivery systems?

·        Can costs be justified?

·        Will this contribute to meeting targets the Government is setting for online services?

·        Will provision be accessible to all to need it? Will alternatives be available?

·        Will the project or system meet the interests and needs of any specific groups?

·        Age or gender?

·        Arts, literacy?

·        Immigrant, ethnic groups?

·        Does the project aim to support wider regeneration and/or community development?

·        Look at models for Wired Up Communities and local community networks.

·        Plan how online working can support other means of networking and communication.

·        Maintaining technology, content, services, user support and commitment.

·        Managing the organisation.

·        Reviewing the business plan.