Kevin Wolf &
Associates

Internet
Strategic
Planning

Facilitation

Metadata
SCVWD Internet Strategy Meeting
Post-meeting summary
March 19, 1996
Facilitation and summary by: Kevin Wolf

Mission Statement

SCVWD’s Internet mission is to use this powerful communication and information sharing tool to advance the overall goals and purpose of the District which includes creating an integrated, dynamic water management agency which serves the community and customers with innovation, integrity and excellence.



SCVWD Internet Goals (with the top three prioritized by group)
  1. Increase agency efficiency and effectiveness
  2. Improve the District’s ability to educate the community on water resource issues and advance its goal of being a steward of the resources it manages..
  3. Bridge barriers within the organization, with our customers and with outside agencies. Increase open and honest communication.
  4. Save District resources and money.
  5. Improve internal and external customer service.
  6. Foster a trust-based work environment that improves employee pride and allows them to fully utilize innovative technology.
  7. Create opportunities for employee growth and development.
  8. Facilitate a culture and process of continuous improvement.
  9. Protect and maintain the security of confidential and sensitive District information and data integrity.
  10. Improve District’s ability to disseminate emergency information.
  11. Avoid obsolescence.
Strategies to achieve Goals:
  1. Increase agency efficiency and effectiveness
    1. Provide employees & board members with the information they need to do their jobs.
    2. Eliminate duplication and fragmentation within and among groups.
    3. Increase staffs’ ability to do research and learn from other agencies.
    4. Transfer data between agencies (GIS layers, revegetation programs...).
    5. Network with outside experts. Share solutions.
    6. Maintain updates and links on regulations, laws and legislation.
    7. Invest in training and staff resources to effectively utilize the tools.
    8. Provide external & internal e-mail accounts for staff.
    9. Improve communication and document transfer with contractors.

  2. Improve the District’s ability to educate the community on water resource issues and advance its role as a steward of the resources it manages.
    1. Use the Internet to encourage water conservation with its customers: provide them electronic access to existing District information and links to appropriate websites.
    2. Educate via the web and e-mail the ways in which the public can decrease water pollution.
    3. Help with school curriculums, essay contests and winner recognition, student research needs, classroom visits and staff scheduling, outreach and FAQs.
    4. Put on-line and deliver electronically: press releases, quarterly newsletter, annual reports, bulletins, public presentations, brochures and public education information.
    5. Make publicly accessible historical documents and databases with priority based on requests.
    6. Put the library catalog on the web page.

  3. Bridge barriers within the organization and with our customers and outside agencies.
    1. Avoid scheduling conflicts through improved information sharing. - put on-line a schedule of coming events and programs.
    2. Coordinate information and datasets regionally.
    3. Take advantage of information generated by other agencies.
    4. Cooperate in sharing GIS data sets & layers.
    5. Create effective and efficient Internet policies (know when to use disclaimers).
    6. Utilize e-mail discussion groups.(Integrated Resources Plan, emergency response..).
    7. Set up a Bulletin Board for employees personal use.
    8. Create FAQs for all areas of public and agency interest.
    9. Put customer information such as forms and applications on-line.
    10. Provide more information about the District, its board members, staff and processes.
    11. Provide contract bid information on-line,

  4. Save SCVWD staff time and financial resources.
    1. Internal communication: routing slips, copying, clerical support, filing, speed).
    2. Public relations: press releases, photos, archival information, FAQs, public response, printing, document duplication.
    3. Administration: Board communication, employee hiring, postage and printing.
    4. Library: staff search resources, archival information, bulk document storage.
    5. Telecommuting: staff effectiveness and morale, maternity and disability leave, driving and traffic costs.
    6. Mapping and engineering: GIS and data development, document transfer, diskettes, storage.
    7. Staff research time: access to internal and external documents (such as FAQs), access to outside expertise, free access to Library of Congress, Congressional Quarterly, legislation, federal and state rules, codes and regulations and more.
    8. Train staff to be both Internet resources and trainers in skills for other staff.
    9. Send amendments to bids via e-mail and save Express Mail charges.

  5. Improve internal and external customer service.
    1. Put on-line board agendas, minutes, packet.
    2. Respond more promptly to data and document requests.
    3. Provide access to historic documents and resources.
    4. Provide information on status of flood control and other projects.
    5. Begin creating FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for SCVWD groups.

SCVWD Web Page Strategy

  1. Review existing draft design for completeness and searchability.
  2. Finish linking priority documents so that all sections of the have some material on-line. (add a link to a weekly reservoir storage and rain report, etc).
  3. Gain General Manager approval.
  4. Pursue an interim strategy to make website publicly available.
  5. Finalize the SCVWD domain name and initial IP address.
  6. Determine who is responsible for each section of the web, and who is the overall webmaster.
  7. Create policies for web related issues.

Policy questions to answer:

Is staff e-mail official agency communication needing approval of management?

If you would like more information about Internet strategic planning, please contact: Kevin Wolf, kjwolf@dcn.davis.ca.us

Kevin Wolf & Associates
724 N Street, Davis, CA 95616
Phone (530) 758-4211      Fax (530) 758-2338
kjwolf@dcn.davis.ca.us     http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/kjwolf/