We resume our column with new suggestions of useful publications in the field of europlanning. We have mentioned other times how other funders of non-European projects or those belonging to the world of philanthropy use tools and methodologies similar to those used in European planning. By way of example and background, we propose a handbook called “DIY – Development Impact & You,” which is proposed as a collection of “practical tools for bringing to life and supporting social innovation” and as “a tool on how to develop, apply or modify ideas capable of achieving excellent results.” It is produced by Nesta (the UK’s social innovation agency) and the Rockefeller Foundation. It is available in Italian on this page. Structured in the form of practical, well-illustrated fact sheets, it is an excellent supplement to the section of our guide devoted to evaluating the project idea, defining the logical framework anddeveloping a design. While not strictly devoted to the subject ofeuroplanning (e.g., it does not deal with the Logical Framework), it reviews the main working methodologies used in the construction of European programs and projects-and served in the past as the basis for creating the body of knowledge now known as “europlanning.”
The DIY guide addresses and describes the following topics and tools (many mentioned by our guide and known to insiders):
- looking ahead (Innovation Flow Chart and Evidence Planning);
- Develop a clear plan (SWOT Analysis, Business Model Canvas, Building Partnerships Map and Learning Loop);
- Clarify priorities (Experience Tour, Problem Definition, Causes Diagram and Theory of Change);
- Taking suggestions from others (People Shadowing, Intervi Ew Guide, Question Ladder and Storyworld);
- get to know the working group (People Connections Map, Target Group, Personas and Promises Potential Map);
- Bringing new ideas to life (Creative Workshop, Fast Idea Generator, Thinking Hats and Value Mapping);
- test and improve (Improvement Triggers, Prototype Testing Plan, Experience Map and Blueprint);
- support and implement (Marketing Mix, Critical Tasks List, Business Plan and Scaling Plan).
Hard not to find something useful to bring a good project to life, right?
Happy reading!
