Why This is Important

You've invested significant effort in setting goals and identifying the most cost-effective strategies to achieve them. Now, you need a concrete plan to ensure these strategies are executed effectively. This is where Implementation Blueprints come into play.

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A goal alone is merely a starting point. Without a clear plan, even the best goals can fall by the wayside. A goal with a plan is a step forward, but true progress comes from implementing that plan—turning your vision into reality. Implementation is the key to bridging the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

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At CIW, we work with our clients to develop comprehensive Roadmap Blueprints. These blueprints are not just documents; they are actionable guides that lay out the precise steps needed to achieve your sustainability goals. They ensure clarity and direction; efficient resource allocation; accountability; equity; and anticipating challenges before they occur. This proactive approach ensures smoother implementation and greater success.

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What is a Roadmap Blueprint?

A Roadmap Blueprint is a detailed guide that maps out the steps needed to achieve a specific goal. CIW’s blueprints include elements such as:

How to Make the Most of Your Blueprints

To elevate implementation, our blueprints are concise and specific, enabling anyone to pick them up and execute the plan. This clarity ensures that important equity considerations and connections to other goals are not overlooked.

 

Creating Effective Blueprints

Here’s a guide to the sections and questions we ask our partners when creating these roadmaps. A comprehensive climate action plan should include at least ten actions with associated blueprints to drive significant progress.

1. Mid-Points

• • Break Down the Goal: Divide your main goal into at least five actionable steps.

  • Timeline: Estimate the time required for each step and include a rough timeline.

  • Partners: List partnering organizations, including community and research organizations, essential for achieving each step.

2. Funding

• • Identify Funding Sources: Determine whether city funds, federal grants, or other financial resources will be used to fund the project.

  • Apply for Grants: Include a plan for applying for and securing grants if needed.

3. Challenges

• • Anticipate Barriers: Predict potential challenges and write them down.

  • Brainstorm Solutions: Develop strategies to overcome these barriers before encountering them.

4. Equity

• • Ensure Inclusive Rollout: Plan how to roll out the project equitably, ensuring all community members are engaged and benefit.

  • Engage the Entire Community: Include methods for involving diverse groups throughout the process.

5. Community Engagement

• • Engagement Plan: Develop a strategy for engaging the community at every stage.

  • Build Support: Outline how to garner community support for the project once it’s completed.

6. Success Metrics

• • Track Progress: Define how success will be measured. Choose to monitor progress through co-benefits or project progress. At CIW, we use a dashboard of 90 co-benefits plus project progress.

  • Select Key Variables: Choose relevant variables to monitor progress toward your goal.