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Planit-NW

In 2001, pixelfountain approached the NWRA with the opportunity to develop a learning simulation to educate decision makers about the importance of sustainable development.

The Need

The Regional Assembly and Government Office for the North West were keen to find an interesting way to promote sustainable development and the regional framework (AfS) and saw the benefit of our approach. From this fortuitous beginning emerged the widely praised Planit-NW. After the development phase, the North West Development Agency joined the partnership and helped fund the delivery of 42 workshops to the Local Strategic Partnerships of the North West. Additional funding in Merseyside came from  European funds - click for more information on the project from a EU perspective). The Northwest project was so successful, a similar project was funded in South Yorkshire - see page 9 of the Objective 1 newsletter.

The Solution

Planit-nw is a Learning Simulation that raises awareness about sustainable development. The core Learning Simulation (computer based resource management game) is a sophisticated model of a virtual community. The simulation allows a group of decision makers to develop strategies and improve problem solving skills. The simulation is used within a workshop setting and requires 8 sub teams to consider reports, make purchases and review objectives. These are graphically represented on dynamic screens and allow the delegates to get immediate feedback on what they have done.

The workshop setting encourages collaboration, improves team working and allows coaching from experts. In addition to the Learning simulation, other non-computer based activities encourage the delegates to consider local issues and how best problems can be solved (Action Planning).

Planit-nw became a part of the Action for Sustainability Toolkit (pages 2, 9, 10, 12 and 26).

Other Applications

• Sustainable Communities (LAA, CPA and Neighbourhood Management).
• General Performance Improvement / Change Management: sustainable development = organisational excellence.
• Corporate Social Responsibility: Improving cooperates’ understanding of sustainable development and communities.
• Member and Officer (including Auditors) training.
• Teambuilding and induction.

Planit-nw can also be tailored to specific local targets (see planit-Sefton and Planit South Yorkshire).