Seven Question Tool

From Common Energy UVic

The following is the Seven Question Tool that we have developed. Actively answering these questions will lead to the creation of a network of people engaged in solving the problem the project is trying to address, and a plan for them to do it. The process is iterative, as the planner goes out to answer the questions those answers will invariably change, becoming more precise and likely to create the desired change.

Using the tool, a group of planners can take on a project. This is a useful tool for just about any kind of project, whether an action project or a Planning Project.

In the context of creating the beyond climate-neutral plan the end result will be a document that will include answers to all of the questions. These Planning Projects will focus on the last three elements about decision making, engagement, and the plan.

Those plan elements will then guide the participants in the Going Beyond Climate-Neutral Conference to develop them and create the final plan.

Contents 1 What are the needs that the project will address? 2 What problem can we solve to address these needs? 3 What do we need to know to solve the problem? 4 Who should we ask to get that information? 5 How are the decisions that effect this problem made? 6 Who do we need to engage to make this change? 7 What is it going to take, and how are we going to do it?

[edit] What are the needs that the project will address?

(e.g. We need to reduce CO₂ equivalent emissions caused by food transportation, We need to produce more food on Vancouver Island...)

[edit] What problem can we solve to address these needs?

(e.g. How can the University develop the supply of local and organic food in the region?)

[edit] What do we need to know to solve the problem?

(e.g. Existing food suppliers, average food miles traveled to a plate, barriers to the development of more local food production...)

• Link to relevant Knowledge Base sections.

[edit] Who should we ask to get that information?

(e.g. Farmer X, Y, and Z, the people that purchase UVic's food, sustainable agriculture experts...)

[edit] How are the decisions that effect this problem made?

(e.g. Who controls UVic's food purchasing? How do we give them a mandate to change their purchasing? Who controls land-use decisions in the region?...)

[edit] Who do we need to engage to make this change?

(e.g. Diverse groups and individuals on campus to build support, the relevant decision makers, the relevant experts, the farmers...)

[edit] What is it going to take, and how are we going to do it?

(e.g. The following Actions and Proposals will contribute to the beyond climate-neutral plan...)