OpenEye - Focus

Focus

Even if you've even identified goals and a theory of change to reach them, you may feel that your organization needs to get "back on point." Let’s face it, your organization is either focused or it isn’t.

**Who benefits from Focus?**

Focus is an approach that is suited for any organization that desires to of determining or sharpening its objectives and direction in rapid fashion. This includes organizations focused on:

social change programs and civil society development
environmental projects and programs
urban and rural development
educational efforts
higher education
funding R&D

Example

Take for instance the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Natursvårdverket) and their "Wind Choice" program. In the years legislation was passed to bring about increases in wind energy production, the placement of windmills was moving very slowly. So here we have it, a well-funded program with a governmental mandate looking for a focus. OpenEye helped the Wind Choice program identify key barriers to wind energy proliferation--much of which was accounted for in the regional permitting process. The Wind Choice staff centered its efforts on providing practical and technical information to permitting offices which is now opening up the process.

Features of Focus

A facilitated set of meetings convened between your team and OpenEye carried out in shortest possible time.

**What is the deliverable from Focus?**

Our clients receive documentation including

a compelling graphic diagram depicting the needs from the field as described by the stakeholders
a list prioritizing the needs in terms of which are the most suitable objectives for your program
a guide for implementation that supports monitoring, evaluation, and organizational learning.

**How do I use the deliverable from Focus?**

The above described material is useful for presenting a logical depiction and rationale for a set of objectives. One can use the documentation as a base for crafting stakeholder agreements, proposals and other funding applications, organizational presentations, or web pages. Organizations engaging in the Focus process find that their teams are better poised to tell the same story about the organization’s vision, aims and tactics.

The process

Our services are customized for each client’s unique situation and requirements. However, to give you a better understanding of the time and commitment involved, the following process outline is offered.

Timeline	Activities
Week 1 2-4 hours in a planning meeting with a leadership group from your organization	A preliminary review of material related to a project, program or activity taking place within your organization is necessary. OpenEye reviews the material before requesting a meeting with a leadership group comprised of a select few from your organization. Together we adapt and define the Focus process, and agree what success will look like for our collaboration. We also determine membership of a working group that will be empaneled for the next step.
Week 2 About 4 hours of workshop time (in one workshop) with the working group	We coach the working group through a process of identifying tangible needs within the environment which the organization could address, and depict them in an approachable, graphic manner.
Week 3 About 4 hours of workshop time (in one workshop) with the working group	We help the working group to prioritize and target focal areas that is most suitable and harmonious given your organization’s mandate, reach and resources.
Week 4 2-4 hour meeting with the leadership group to deliver the documentation	OpenEye presents the results of the working group's analysis and provides recommendations on application of the organization's renewed Focus.