When planning a program, project, or event, we ask two series of questions, to help us define the purpose of the project, how it relates to our mission, the scope of what’s being done, and what logistical items are necessary for its success.
Value Questions
Help us identify the VALUE of doing whatever it is we want to do. These questions are open-ended and somewhat rhetorical.
(For these questions, the words in ALL CAPS are replaced with words specific to the program)
- In what ways is consuming PROGRAM different than creating PROGRAM?
- How does a PROGRAM TOOL give young people power?
- How could we enrich the quality of learning for youth out-of-school while enhancing their in-school experience?
- What happens when teachers ask students to demonstrate their learning by making a PROGRAM PRODUCT instead of taking a test or writing an essay?
- What happens when learners in all areas assume the roles of PROGRAM SPECIFIC ROLES?
- What can we do to celebrate emerging PROGRAM PRODUCT MAKERS?
- Why is it important to have public celebrations of PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS personal work?
- What kinds of PROGRAM mentors and resources would help people create their vision?
- How can we celebrate the small ideas that become big ideas, the small dreams that become real goals?
- How do we inspire youth to pursue careers they love?
Descriptive Relationship Questions
These are logistical questions that help us discover the scope of the project and what specifically is needed for it. They should be answered in full in a collaborative effort between all people involved.
- How does the project advance our mission?
- What market is served?
- How does it build awareness?
- How does it increase participation in other programs?
- How does it earn revenue?
- How is it charitably funded, or donor supported?
- Who are we collaborating with?
- How does it improve our systems?
- Who from our staff is responsible for this program?
- What is its organization type (board, fiscal sponsorship, sub-program)
- What public events occur and when?
- What do people make from their participation?
- What is this program’s planning cycle?
- What is this program’s time range? (start date, end date, yearly calendar)
- How much work/staff time is allocated to this program?
