Strategic Doing is a new method for strategy development and implementation that is centered on developing the skills needed for effective collaboration on large group initiatives. It addresses issues that can arise in complex situations where no single entity or organization is in charge, and helps establish a framework for shared leadership with efforts aligned toward shared outcomes.

The process works with groups to identify opportunities where they can “link and leverage” the existing assets they have so they can begin to move toward those shared outcomes. Distressed communities and regions, non-profit organizations, foundations, private industries, etc. have all found Strategic Doing to be helpful as they work to address these types of challenges that require deep, effective collaboration to move forward.

PAWES Strategic Doing Workshop

The PAWES planning grant team members participated in a Strategic Doing workshop on February 3, 2020, where they became familiar with the Strategic Doing concepts and developed an action plan for fostering collaboration on new and transformational solutions that go beyond incremental approaches.

The team identified key assets, opportunities, and success criteria unique to PAWES, and are applying the skills learned during the workshop to better position themselves to pursue the NSF solicitation for Gen-4 Engineering Research Centers (ERC): Convergent Research and Innovation through Inclusive Partnerships and Workforce Development