Node Chair: Paul Wildman <pwildman@optushome.com.au>
The South Pacific Node has recently commenced a strategic discussion.
The purpose is to evaluate progress, and to make constructive suggestions
on the way
ahead for the Millennium Project.
Status
The discussion is still under way, but an interim synopsis is below.
Issues
To date the discussion has focused on two separate but related issues:
* The apparent lack of a clearly articulated value proposition.
* Difficulties with methodology - both in the project, and in its management.
Value Proposition
There is confusion about the value proposition being put forward.
The project attempts to address many aspects - but with the same group
of people:
* issues and opportunities;
* structural issues;
* competing theories on structure and change;
* constructs about the future;
* methodologies.
The apparent competing concerns make it difficult to identify a clearly articulated value proposition.
Project Methodology
The main concerns expressed were:
* although the project addresses "theory, message, scenarios, policy",
the emphasis is on policy, at the expense of theory and constructs;
* many of the MP global issues address symptoms not structural problems;
and
* it is unlikely these aspects will change unless there is a fundamental
re-evaluation of all aspects of the project.
It is felt that now is the time to take the opportunity to conduct such an evaluation of the project, its aims, objectives and processes.
Process Management
Entities are increasingly required to conform to the highest standards of governance.
Concerns have been identified relating to management of the project and to consultation.
Now that the project is well established, processes could be more inclusive
and transparent. Technology makes this posible, and it will be demanded
by sponsors
and stakeholders.
Relationship between Issues
The views expressed were:
* the first issue (articulating a value proposition) is difficult to
address because there is no basis from which to start, nor any mechanisms
in place;
* it is likely that the value of the project will become increasingly
confused as it moves forward; and
* we need to think carefully about how we attempt to influence that.
Options for the Future
A broad range of options are under consideration. The interim recommendations
of the South Pacific Node are:
* that the strategic discussion continue;
* that attention be given to structural causes of many of the problems
that arise in the study of issues; and,
* that members of other Nodes be invited to participate in an on-line
discussion on activities, interests and the way ahead. (See the comments
below in relation to
mp-spn@egroups.com).
Recommendations
Some specific strategies for discussion and evaluation are below:
* The preparation and distribution of an annual report - including
a financial statement.
* Commission of an external review of the objectives and processes
of the Project.
* The appoint of an executive committee to relieve the workload on
Jerome Glenn and Ted Gordon.
Closing Comments
The South Pacific Node is proud to have been associated with the achievements
of the Millennium Project to date. The suggestions above are designed to
build
on that base, and to contribute to the further success of the Project.
==============
Although the MP runs the Millproj discussion group and mailing list
at: MILLPROJ@hermes.circ.gwu.edu
our experience is that it has too many participants to be a useful
discussion vehicle on specific node-related matters. Thus we have set up
<mp-spn@egroups.com> for this
purpose.
Interested persons are most welcome to log on.
Signed: Node Chair, Tom Beer, Co-ordinator, CSIRO Environmental Risk Network, Aspendale, Australia
1999
Millennium
Project home page