Regional Foresight: BMW Region
“Shortsightedness is part of human
nature, which the wise princes have
overcome through the use of
foresight”, ---Macciavelli
BMW Region
• Sparsely populated and rural
• ~50% land mass, 27% population
• Outmigration
• ~30% live communities > 1500
• Agriculture, forestry, fishing
Rationale for a Regional Foresight
• Build on an Audit of Innovation already
completed.
• Gain agreement on priorities for future
investment programs.
• Future funding to meet key regional needs
Rationale for a Regional Foresight
• Stimulate debate on long-term strategic
issues.
• Build consensus on how to address
challenges facing the region.
• Involve stakeholders in deciding the future
of the Region.
What is Regional Foresight?
• Approach to regional strategic planning
– Long term perspectives.
• Disciplined visioning.
• Wake up call to the big issues
– Beyond more money for new road
What is Regional Foresight?
• Incorporates global and societal trends.
• Consensus based and participatory.
What is Regional Foresight?
• Useful to identify regional priorities and
their fit with provincial/national strategies.
• Deal with changes and restructuring of
BMW economy.
• Need for greater emphasis on sustainability
and longer term regional planning.
Objectives: BMW Foresight
• To develop investment priorities for BMW
based on long term challenges by:
• Preparing a commonly agreed development
program amongst policy making bodies.
Objectives: BMW Foresight
• Involving all relevant stakeholders in future
development of the region.
• Public and private sectors.
• HOD of development agencies.
• Trade/business associations.
• Enabling a deeper understanding of roles,
challenges, opportunities and benefits.
Overview of Process: BMW Foresight
• 12 month time frame.
• Facilitated by consultants.
• Steering Committee
• 4 Expert Panels
• Competitive Region
• Innovative Region
• Quality of Life Region
• Knowledge Region
Overview of Process: BMW Foresight
• Steering Committee:
• Chair from Forfas
• Chairs of panels
• Helena Acheson
Overview of Process: BMW Foresight
• Wide consultation nationally & within region.
– Use of web site.
• Submissions invited from interested parties.
• Local/regional/national endorsement obtained.
– “experts” view progress.
Overview of Process: BMW Foresight
• Background SWOT analysis—BMW and Ireland.
• Panel Meeting 1:Foresight training and trends.
• SWOT discussed and themes identified
• Panel Meeting 2: Defining strategic challenges
• Panel presented with scenarios
Overview of Process: BMW Foresight
• Between Meetings 2, 3:
• Consulting within the region
• Panel Meeting 3: Strategic responses
• Panel considers strategic responses to the scenarios
• Panel Meeting 4: Reporting
• Findings discussed/refined
The Findings
• A profile, driving forces and policy drivers for the region
• An overriding vision statement:
– Elements of all 4 scenarios included. Innovation dominant.
• 10 strategic objectives, with corresponding measures.
• 10 additional priority projects to be implemented as an
immediate priority.
• Implementation, monitoring and sample indicators.
Investing Now – 10 Priority Projects
• Deliver on NDP road Infrastructure Projects in
the BMW Region.
• Implement the NSS as a Spatial Planning
Framework.
• Provide Universal Broadband Access.
• Invest in critical public transport infrastructure.
• Invest in International Access to the BMW
Region.
Investing Now – 10 Priority Projects
• Develop Clusters of Excellence
• Invest in Flagship Tourism Projects
• Invest in the Region’s Childcare Infrastructure
and Services
• Invest to raise the Region’s Skills and Knowledge
Capacity
• Raise the Research and Innovation Capacity of
the Institutes of Technology
Critical Success Factors
• Buy-in from local, regional & national bodies
• Choice and motivation of expert panel members
• Well designed and executed foresight processes
• Strong links with programme planning processes
of participants
• Endorsement by Central Government
• Credible, actionable and influential outcomes
• Fostering sense of ownership of the exercise
• Visibility of the exercise
Visit www.busi.mun.ca/vectorchair
Contact: dstewart@mun.ca