Community and Regional Planning in Newfoundland and Labrador: Beyond the Document
 

 
Thank you for your participation in this survey. The goal of this research project is to identify critical success factors and barriers for small communities in moving from planning to plan implementation, including consideration of the unique requirements and challenges in multi-community planning processes; recommend steps that can be taken to maximize benefits and minimize challenges associated with these processes; and share lessons regionally and provincially on effective community and multi-community socio-economic planning processes.

Phase I of the study involved an examination of planning processes in seven communities and groups of communities within the Gander-New-Wes-Valley Rural Secretariat region. In Phase II a comparison was made between the planning approaches used in each of the seven cases. The purpose of this survey is to determine whether the findings of this study are relevant more widely in the province, beyond the Gander-New-Wes-Valley region.

Please provide responses related to the community and sub-regional (multi-community cluster) plans in your region. These may include economic, social, sector specific, or labour market development planning processes, for example. Do NOT include responses that reflect your larger regional plan(s), such as Strategic Economic Plans and Integrated Business Plans that are conducted by Regional Economic Development Boards. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

What is the name of the organization you represent? (optional)

What is your position in this organization? (optional)

What region does your organization serve?

PLANNING EXAMPLES IN MY REGION

Please provide examples of plans or planning processes in your region:

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

1. In general, based on your observations, to what extent are plans in your region being implemented?

2. Additional comments on the state of planning implementation in your region (optional):

CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION

3. Please indicate the extent to which you believe the following factors have been challenges or even barriers to implementing plans in your region.

 Not a challenge Not a major challenge Neutral or unsure Somewhat of a challenge A major challenge
Various communities/individuals disagree about which project(s) should be started first (disagreement on priorities)
Poor communication between communities and groups involved in the planning process
Unequal opportunities for different communities to provide their opinions and have input within the planning process
Lack of funding/limited access to financial resources
Lack of technical expertise and leadership skills
Lack of diversity in leadership throughout the planning process
Lack of human resources (staff and/or volunteers)
Lack of interest, involvement or support for the planning process from community members and the community at large
Lack of prioritization of objectives and/or initiatives
Absence of an implementation/action strategy within the plan (e.g. budget, timelines, designation of responsibilities)
Lack of monitoring and evaluation in the planning and implementation process
Over-adherence to the written plan (i.e. lack of adaptation to changing circumstances)
GOOD PRACTICES IN PLANNING THAT FACILITATE IMPLEMENTATION

4. Please indicate the extent to which you believe the following practices have been beneficial and have helped in ensuring implementation of plans in your region.

 Not beneficial Not very beneficialNeutral or unsure Somewhat beneficial A major benefit
A shared vision and/or goals are developed with involvement of a relatively broad range of local interests
Goals, objectives and initiatives are prioritized through broad-based community involvement
Participants from different communities identify and focus on goals that are beneficial for the entire region (in multi-community planning)
Community strengths are inventoried and incorporated into the plan
There are secured funds to support the planning process
Planning tasks are delegated to specific individuals in a way that recognizes and maximizes use of people’s skill sets
Volunteers have opportunities to develop skills that help them better engage in the planning process
There is a division of tasks and assigned responsibilities for implementation
The planning process is flexible and adaptive to ongoing changes in the area

5. Additional comments on good practices that facilitate plan implementation in your region (optional):

RECOMMENDATIONS

6. Please indicate the extent to which you believe the following recommendations are important practices for community and regional leaders (e.g. mayors, committee chairs, active volunteers) to follow for successful planning in your region.

 I do not agree/ not importantNot very important Neutral or unsure Somewhat important I strongly agree/ very important
Generate broad-based public interest and involvement in planning by creating an inclusive environment
Include initiative prioritization and implementation planning in consultant/practitioners’ job description or terms of reference
Be persistent in achieving these priorities while also monitoring and adapting to changes occurring in your local and external environment
Monitor, evaluate and report throughout the planning and implementation process
Pursue local self-reliance in the planning and implementation process (e.g. through generating and harnessing local human and financial resources)
Foster community and regional pride through community-based activities such a local arts festivals, trade and craft fairs, etc.
Enhance regional and inter-municipal cooperation (e.g. through the establishment of a joint council or other structures and regional planning efforts)

7. Other recommendations for community and regional leaders:

8. Please indicate the extent to which you believe the following recommendations are important practices for senior governments to follow for successful planning in your region.

 I do not agree/ not importantNot very important Neutral or unsure Somewhat important I strongly agree/ very important
Provide support to communities demonstrating commitment to implementation (i.e. those communities that have prioritized initiatives and created some form of implementation plan)
Facilitate improved communication between communities and senior levels of government
Assign an agency responsibility for support of local level planning (e.g. a regionally minded government agency that has authority, responsibility, and adequate resources to support strategic planning)
Fostering and supporting diversity and inclusiveness by setting up programs that are directed towards achieving these aims
Provide financial support for implementation
Increase funding support for leadership training
Take the role of leadership if leadership from within the community is not present

9. Other recommendations for provincial and federal governments:

10. Please indicate the extent to which you believe the following recommendations are important practices for planning practitioners (e.g. consultants, planning staff and volunteers) to follow for successful planning in your region.

 I do not agree/ not importantNot very important Neutral or unsure Somewhat important I strongly agree/ very important
Assess and build on the unique assets and strengths of each community and region
Build initiative prioritization and action plans into planning documents
Conduct human resources assessment early in the planning process to identify local labour market and volunteer characteristics, including local knowledge and skills
Recognize and seek ways to incorporate local residents’ knowledge and expertise in the construction of the planning document

11. Additional recommendation for enhancing planning implementation (optional):

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
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