Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook - Flipbook - Page 22
Eight Considerations for Goal Setting
Because goals are so important to ensuring that all participants are moving in the same direction, the process of goal setting
is purposely methodical and includes many forms of outreach and communication. The following are key considerations that
should be included in defining your goals.
Figure 2.2. Eight Considerations for Goal Setting
Inventory
Existing Tools
Collaborate
Conduct
Community &
Stakeholder
Outreach
Identify
Opportunities
& Barriers
Create a List
of Goals
Create
Timelines
for Goals
Implement
Goals
Review &
Update
1. Inventory Existing Tools
One of the first steps to setting economic goals is to conduct an inventory of existing tools: plans, lists, branding/marketing,
economic development sofware, or goals that you identify in existing local jurisdiction plans.
• Determine what exists in your jurisdiction before you decide what is needed, and analyze the inventory for efectiveness.
You may be surprised that the strategic plan you were certain is needed was already completed by another department.
• Be aware of information silos where one municipal or county department closely guards its information and does not
share it with other departments, even for internal use.
• You may also discover that the contact list you are using needs to be updated. If so, make plans to update this valuable
resource.
• Make a checklist of possible goals and research whether or not they have already been completed, and if so, when. Also
check to see if other entities (either within your jurisdiction or a local partner) are working on the same goals. CEDS
participants beyond the city/county may have priority sectors for planning, such as the chamber of commerce, an
Economic Development Corporation or other economic partners. Duplicating eforts is counterproductive.
Where possible, consider what neighboring jurisdictions are doing to promote collaboration,
coordination, and consistency.
You can assess your inventory by searching your jurisdiction’s website or reaching out to other departments. The City Clerk or
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors maintains a list of oficial documents, so they are always a good resource, as are the minutes
from the Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings. Cities may need to check with counties for document inventories
and vice versa. Where possible, consider what neighboring jurisdictions are doing to promote collaboration, coordination,
and consistency.
Afer you have conducted an assessment, analyze the inventory. When were these goals created or accomplished? When was the
last time they were updated or reviewed? If the plans are older and the goals no longer match the community’s needs, do they
need to be completely overhauled or is a refresh appropriate or necessary?
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CALED | Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook
