Designing the method

Finally, the method should be articulated around this clear understanding of needs, leaving space for learning as new needs arise. The needs analysis should be used to design an initial proposition for how the network might best support this group of cities to achieve their goals. While a learning rhythm should intentionally build in space to learn and adapt as e.g. new needs arise.

Our approach and methods

• Initial proposition: Articulate the method using the insight from the baseline study to support this group of cities to achieve their goals. Share the method with the cities so they can see how the network will support them. Build in some stages of feedback from the cities before finalising the offering.

• • Explore: this first phase is for setting the baseline and mapping the landscape. Understand the context for each city and the challenge the city would like to focus on. Define the problem properly and map out the stakeholders from across all sectors and parts of the city who might have influence or resources for addressing the core problem.
  • Engage: the second phase is to move from theory to practice and begin building relationships with people from outside the local authority, in each sector that’s affected by or involved in the problem and the potential solution for tackling it. This could be across business, startups, academia, the press, national government or other layers of administration, and most importantly always included citizens
  • Experiment: the third phase was the time for city teams to put together all they’d learned up to this point. The true root cause of the problem they’d like to address, an early stage idea for tackling that problem, the people from across the city who could help or would be affected to input into the design and the process, and funding from ASToN and beyond to finance the experiment. All supported by coaching from Innovation Coches and the Technical Experts.