P2.3: Testing Against the Vision Statement

Establishing a vision and set of objectives is a key first step in the process of thinking about what stakeholders want to achieve out of the project.

This will undoubtedly have been prepared in advance of more detailed evaluation of the evidence base, scenario building and option testing. Where the evidence or more detailed analysis indicates certain elements of the vision or objectives are in conflict and/or may not be achievable, these would need to be identified up front in the process. They can then be prioritised and openly discussed through the project management structure to consider issues relating to significance and impact, whether there are any potential ways to overcome the issue and if necessary as a last resort to reappraise certain objectives and agree alterations as necessary.

The purpose of this Stage in the overall process is therefore to establish a ‘starting point’ in the overall process, setting an initial vision and objectives, clarifying the respective positions of the key partners and combining these into a shared initial statement. The purpose is to guide the evolution of a quality outcome, bringing partners together and providing a mechanism against which emerging proposals can be evaluated over time.