Gear Up 2020: Rapid Goal Setting for a 21st Century Nashville



This guide provides actionable, short-term, specific ideas for Nashville TN to apply emerging technologies, business models and government innovations for improving on-going city programs and activities.


Benefits & Problems Addressed

Actionable steps: Too often larger plans sit on a shelf because of the focus on grand, sweeping visions instead of near term, actionable and incremental steps.

Chance to review and integrate multiple plans: Cities (and the regions in which they sit) are subject to multiple plans and policies. A focus on short term steps provide a chance to assimilate activities among multiple plans.


Tips & Techniques

Getting started: Identifying short term goals helps when: (1) a new administration wants to make its mark while working with existing plans; (2) a key plan is "sitting on the shelf;" (3) New challenges have emerged not envisioned during original planning efforts.

Work plan approach:  (1) Establish working groups based on key subject areas (e.g., open space, housing), (2)  Analyze the existing plans for priorities that can be undertaken  better and faster; (3) Assess gaps & emerging, new priorities, (4) Interview stakeholders & identify leaders who can move quickly; (5) Assess new technologies and business models for applicability; (6) Compile broad list of goals with no sacred cows; (7) Develop action plan.

Four defined areas for action: (1) Transportation & mobility; (2) Open Space; (3) Infrastructure & utilities; (4) Government reinventions and Public-Private Partnerships

Guiding Principles: Set guiding principle once priority areas identified. In Nashville, the following guiding principles emerged:  (1) Streets and public space as systems, (2) No more accidents (i.e. traffic, bike, and pedestrian injuries are fixable); (3) Equity; (4) Streets & public space as job creators; (5) Forward-compatible technology; (6) Play towards Nashville's strengths; (7) Respect for existing/ on-going work; (8) Best practices & benchmarking; (9) Communicate and implement with SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) ; (1) Commit to Land Use Reform.

Recommendations: The report lists 33 recommendations.  Each recommendation comes with a list of summary information for (1) Who has control; (2) Cost in Lo/Med/Hi terms; (3) How amendable to a P3 - Public-Private Partnership; (4) Return on Investment (ROI); (5) Politics & Optics of the recommendation; (6) Ownership on who takes the lead/responsibility; (7) Applicability to guiding principles & other recomendations; (8) Net/Net factors on all around benefits.

Funding: An addendum lists grants, funding and other financial support opportunities.

Hot Buttons: Working with existing plans across Departments; Public perception with stramlining or fast-tracking activities.


Resource

Gear-Up2020 - Nashville, TN US