COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTS

WHY DO ASSESSMENTS?

• “The long term development of a community rests on its ability to uncover and build on the strengths and assets of its people, institutions, and informational organizations.” (Beaulieu 2002)

• Look for strengths, and identify all the positive qualities of your community

• Identify gaps

• Help communities realize there may be multiple ways to achieve goals

CONNECTING COMMUNITY ASSESSMENTS

• Quick start assessments

• Community readiness

• Capability

o Individual

o Organizational

• Infrastructure

COMMUNITY READINESS

ASSESSMENT

• Level of cooperation and collaboration

• Potential leadership team members

• Potential partner organizations

• Existing digital development projects

LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBER WORKSHEET

• Leaders (formal and non-formal)

• Technology experts

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENTS

• Organization capability to use digital tools

• Individual capability to use digital tools

• Digital infrastructure

o Internet

o Organizational

TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS

• What’s there?

o First step is to agree on what “connected community” means

• Where are the gaps?

o Needs assessment

o Community assets (mapping)

• What’s the focus?

o Technology

o Formal organizations

o Individuals

MORE CHOICES

• Online

• Formal

• Informal

• Non-Profit

• Business

• Government

• Access to technology

• Capacity

• How is it being used?

o Health issues

o Economic conditions

o School success

o Family issues

o Early childhood development

• Business and Industry

• Healthcare

• Libraries

• Higher Education

• Community-Based Organizations

• Tourism, Recreation and Parks

• Agriculture

TWO PURPOSES

• What’s available? Network, appliances

• How it’s being used? In segments and across the communityo Do we need to hire a consultant?

o What do we know?

o What do we still need to know?

o How will we collect additional information?

o Who and what will we ask?

o Who will collect the data?

o How will we compile & analyze the data?

o How will we report our findings?

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Partnership’s vision statement should guide the assessment

• Assessment should focus on specific topics

• Assessment is an ongoing process

• Views the community from multiple perspectives

• Takes an in-depth look at diversity within a community

• Coordinator can facilitate information gathering by many participants

SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

• Understand the current situation first

• Define a vision of the future

• Allow questions to drive the assessment process

• Address issues that stakeholders believe are important

• Communicate information back to stakeholders

NOW WHAT?

• Completing the assessment is only the beginning

• An assessment is the means to achieve your vision

Southern Rural Development Center

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

WWW.CONNECTINGCOMMUNITIES.INFO