Planning and Programs Development
Planning and development of programs are crucial to any business. They assist in defining objectives and determine the most effective course of action and also allocate resources efficiently. However, defining and executing the development of programs isn’t simple. It requires careful consideration of the specific needs and expectations of all stakeholders. The best approach will lead to an approach that maximizes the impact and ensures everyone is satisfied.
The most common tool used to guide these efforts is a logic model. It is visual representation of how the day-to-day activities of a program are linked to the intended outcomes. It assists you in thinking through the way your program should operate, including how and when it will bring about change. The model is constructed left to right, and may contain arrows to indicate the sequence of events.
The first step is to determine all the necessary inputs. Then you need to identify the key activities that will make use of those inputs. From there, you’ll be able to draw out the expected outcomes of these activities, and finally the desired outcomes (both short-term and long-term). Then your model should define the impact these outcomes are likely to impact the target audience.
Another important aspect of the process is to discover potential threats or challenges your program might face. Tools like environmental scanning techniques can help you identify external and internal factors that could impact on the success of your program. This is the ideal moment to assess your organization’s strengths and weaknesses. These insights will aid in the development of strategies that will prepare your team for the future success you want.
