Converging visions to strengthen public health impact
Learn how a service design approach united three Montana public health organizations, creating a cohesive strategy through collaborative efforts and user-focused planning.
Client: Confluence Public Health Alliance
Sector: Nonprofit, Government
Project Type: Consulting
Collaborators: Lisa Dworak Casper, Gordy Pace, and Jane Smilie
Duration: 3 months planning, one-day retreat
Services:
Qualitative research
Workshop facilitation
Strategic planning
Overview
In October 2022, the Confluence Public Health Alliance (CPHA) sought to unify its member organizations into a single, powerful voice for public health in Montana.
I collaborated with CPHA to design a strategic planning workshop that brought together leaders from the Association of Montana Public Health Officials (AMPHO), the Montana Public Health Association (MPHA), and the Montana Environmental Health Association (MEHA). The workshop aimed to align goals, enhance engagement, and create a cohesive vision for the future.
As an umbrella organization, CPHA coordinates and amplifies public health efforts, advocates for sound policies, offers professional development, and fosters collaboration. The strategic planning session was crucial for solidifying these efforts and setting a unified direction for the alliance.
Outcome
The strategic planning retreat created a unified, actionable roadmap for three Montana public health organizations, addressing key challenges, clarifying roles, and setting strategic priorities for sustainability, workforce development, and membership growth. The outcomes provided a clear path for CPHA to advocate effectively for public health and support its members in achieving shared goals.
My approach incorporated design and systems thinking, tailored to expand members' understanding of complex public health challenges and opportunities. By using innovative tools and methodologies, I facilitated a deeper exploration of interconnected issues, encouraging participants to think holistically and embrace new perspectives. This enhanced strategic outcomes and empowered members with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity.
Process
Preparation
I prepared by organizing strategic plans, vision maps, and journey maps. Stakeholder engagement was key, using ecosystem mapping, surveys, and interviews to gather insights. An inclusive environment was prioritized to ensure all voices were heard, with findings from an April 2022 workshop helping to identify key challenges and needs.
Workshop Sessions
The workshop started with introductions, goal setting, and agenda setting to foster collaboration. Participants reviewed survey and interview data, followed by journey mapping to understand organizational capacities. The focus then shifted to clarifying CPHA's roles, identifying areas for improvement, and defining strategic priorities for sustainability, workforce development, and membership growth. The day ended with future visioning, assigning responsibilities, and outlining actions for accountability, resulting in a clear and actionable roadmap, emphasizing collaboration and engagement.
A visual representation of the strategic planning process, drawing from a visual collaboration “process diamond” for participatory decision-making , detailing key phases from a micro to macro level of navigating change and gathering perspectives to achieving a cohesive strategic plan for CPHA's future.
April Workshop Share-out and Discussion
Workshop attendees actively participating in a visioning session to help glean insights, contributing to the development of a unified vision and strategic priorities for CPHA.
CPHA Ecosystem Map
A comprehensive ecosystem map illustrating the interconnected roles and relationships within the Confluence Public Health Alliance (CPHA), highlighting key stakeholders and the flow of communication and influence.
Group Discussion during the Workshop Retreat
Engaged participants in deep discussion during the strategic planning workshop, fostering a collaborative environment and encouraging diverse perspectives.
Stop, Start, Continue, Improve Synthesis
Sensemaking and synthesizing a collaborative exercise from the workshop retreat within a Miro board, where participants identified actions to 'Stop,' 'Start,' 'Continue,' and 'Improve,' providing a clear framework for future strategic initiatives.
Key Findings
Challenges and Needs: Desk research and the April workshop identified challenges like time, capacity, energy, turnover, workload, grant-writing assistance, and confidence in leadership. It highlighted needs for better representation (rural, frontier, tribal, large), improved communication, staffing, a shared vision, emotional support, increased influence, role clarification, and celebrating wins.
Support and Motivation: The workshop explored existing support levels and ways to enhance them, emphasizing motivation's role in engagement and effectiveness.
Integrated Approach: The structured approach and facilitated discussions deepened understanding of CPHA’s role and strategic direction.
Collaborative Tools: Collaborative activities and visual mapping tools engaged participants, fostering ownership and clarity.
Alignment and Path Forward: The workshop aligned the organization’s goals and established a clear path forward, ensuring all members were united in their future actions and strategies.
Key Outcomes
The strategic planning workshop resulted in several key outcomes, strengthening CPHA's organizational structure and direction. We clearly defined roles and responsibilities, ensuring that each member understood their specific contributions and duties. Strategic priorities were established, focusing on essential areas such as sustainability, workforce development, and membership growth.
This groundwork allowed us to develop a unified vision for CPHA’s future, aligning all member organizations under a shared purpose. Participant engagement was significantly enhanced, fostering a stronger sense of community and collaboration. To ensure ongoing progress and accountability, specific tasks and responsibilities were assigned, creating a clear roadmap.
Insights
Insights from the workshop highlighted how interactive methods, structured sessions, and future visioning not only energized participants but also sharpened focus and set a clear path forward.
Engagement and Collaboration: The use of sticky notes and group activities significantly boosted engagement and idea-sharing.
Clarity and Focus: Structured sessions helped clarify roles and responsibilities, leading to a more focused strategic approach.
Future Visioning: Creating a tangible vision provided a clear direction for the organization, bridging the gap between current state and future goals.