Graphics and well-defined terms can help control the scope of the conversation. For example, the Virginia team used the NTFI (National Taskforce on Interoperability) definition of interoperability along with a graphic to scope the conversations of the day-long focus group interview. The definition reads, “interoperability is the ability of public safety agencies to talk to one another via radio communication systems -- to exchange voice and/or data with one another on demand, in real time, when needed, and as authorized.” The graphic shown in Figure 3 below helped to organize the conversation around the six subject areas of funding, spectrum, technology, coordination, training, and operational structure, as well as the three dimensions of government -- local, state, and federal.
Figure 4: Talking About Interoperability
Once the scope of the conversation is established and agreed upon, the interviewees address the five core questions:
- How would you describe the state’s existing level of interoperability?
- What do we want our future system for communications to look like?
- Why do we need to change and what would happen if we didn’t change?
- What problems might we encounter when striving for this future state?
- What recommendations do we have to move from our current system to our future system?
These questions drive strategic planning; their relation to each other can be clarified by leveraging the use of a Gameboard as shown in the graphic on the following page. As interview discussions are completed, the facilitator can return to the graphic to remind the group where the discussion is headed.
Figure 5: Strategic Plan Gameboard
In Virginia, this graphic was presented as a large poster on the wall of the conference room and served as the day’s agenda.