Determing a civic project within a team, can be the most challenging aspect of the civic projects. Trying to balance the multiple needs of the community, the passions of the individual team members, and the timline of the project all factor into this decision. Below are some helpful tools that can be applied to your team decision making process.
The first tool is a set of criteria that the project should address. The second tool is a list of questions that can be applied to a list of project ideas to help objectively rate the project ideas. The attachment is a powerpoint file that provides examples of how to best utilize these tools.
Potential Project topics "fit" for an RFL group/class when:
o resolving the issue will have measurable, visible positive impact on the community.
o the topic and associated activities are consistent with RFL's principles and mission.
o the scope is both narrow and specific and can be thoroughly explored and addressed within the RFL class structure.
o there is ample opportunity for all group members to be appropriately involved.
o the issue has a significant "Acceptance" component (meaning that winning support for the idea is as important as developing the idea).
o the "data" needed to come up with a high-quality solution or action plan is already available, easily collected, and/or resides in the minds of participants and/or community members.
o there is energy and a sense of urgency to resolve the issue now.
The Project Selection Matrix provides Key Questions for dialogue. Each question is rated on a scale of 1-5 to provide an overview of the relative strength of each project idea.
o Informed, committed, skilled, and open-minded Sponsor who will legitimize and sanction the effort
o Group members are motivated to work on this issue
o Improvement will have direct, positive impact on the community
o Data on the issue
o Access to the right people at the right time: at the start and during the project cycle
o Scope on the issues
o History
o Potential solutions
o Potential time to implement
o Other
