Activity example: Outcomes wishlist

WPRDC's wishlist worksheet. Photo by Bob Gradeck.

What do participants hope will ultimately come of this data user group's work? Why are they participating, and what are they hoping will happen – but maybe not saying?

Asking participants to create an outcomes wishlist can help everyone understand each other's ideal outcomes. It can also provide the entire group with an understanding of what activities, tools, analysis, and data will be needed to achieve those goals.

In Pittsburgh, WPRDC did this by filling out a wishlist worksheet. The worksheet had five columns: Outcomes; Audience and users; Activities, tool, research, reports, & other outputs; Data and other inputs; and Notes. Here are a few examples of completed worksheets. At the end of the meeting, WPRDC incorporated these outcome wishlists into their action roadmap.