Forward Planning The hallmark of an efficient and effective organisation and a requirement for Accreditation

Accreditation 2011 A national standard for museums Performance - an authoritative benchmark for assessing performance, rewarding achievement and driving improvement. Planning - it formalises procedures and policies. Profile – it builds confidence and credibility within the governing body and among the public. People – it improves museums’ focus on meeting users' needs and on developing their workforce. Patronage - it strengthens applications for public and private funding and gives investors confidence in the organisation. Partnerships – it encourages joint working within and between organisations.

Accreditation Organisational health Accredited Museums are responsible, responsive and resilient 2. Collections care Accredited museums effectively manage and make available collections for everyone 3. Users and their experiences Accredited museums are welcoming, and accessible and have a planned approach to identifying and providing a good quality service for a broad range of users, bringing people and collections together

Accreditation 2011 and Forward Planning A commitment to forward planning is an eligibility criteria At the point of assessment the forward plan must cover the museum’s current and subsequent planning year. The statement of purpose and key aims must be formally approved by the governing body. Museums with a Mentor: The Forward Plan is the focus of an annual review between the museum and its mentor. Every museum’s triennial Accreditation review will have to report against the objectives it set in its Forward Plan.

The purpose and benefits of Forward Planning To set goals and a strategy for reaching them To use your resources effectively To tell others what your museum is doing To provide a framework for measuring success Taking an in depth look at the museum’s operation, vision, aims & objectives is empowering Taking part in research and consultation creates ownership and commitment Done inclusively it raises staff performance and makes the acceptance of change smoother

So… Ensure your forward plan is a robust document Take time to draw it up Analyse your museum’s operating environment thoroughly Consult to achieve consensus Tie everything back to the Statement of Purpose Take the steps set out in the SW Federation’s Forward Planning toolkit –

13 steps to a forward plan - 1 Step 1 – Select your team Determine who is involved in drawing up the plan Step 2 – Draw up a statement of consultation Make the planning process transparent and inclusive Step 3 – Agree a statement of Purpose Define your museum’s purpose, values and audience Step 4 – Carry out research Understand your museum’s past performance, operating environment and resources

13 steps to a forward plan - 2 Step 5 – Agree a vision Achieve consensus on the direction of travel Step 6 – Establish Key Aims To achieve the improvements and developments you are seeking Step 7 – Set specific objectives Turn your vision and Key Aims into successful action Step 8 – Draw up an action plan Set priorities and determine the allocation of resources

13 steps to a forward plan - 3 Step 9 – Draw up a resource plan Set indicative revenue and capital expenditure and workforce requirements to deliver the plan Step 10 – Write the plan Bring together the information gathered and decisions made Step 11 – Approve the plan Demonstrate the governing body’s endorsement of the plan Step 12 – Publish the plan Share your vision, develop ownership

13 steps to a forward plan - 4 Step 13 – Use the plan Manage developments and resources effectively to achieve the objects of your museum

This presentation is based on information and content devised by Vicky Dawson and used in the workshops Planning for the Future – easy steps to a forward plan run as part of the South West Museums Skills Programme 2011/2012. The programme was run by the South Western Federation of Museums and Art Galleries for Renaissance South West. The presentation draws on the publications and guidance on Accreditation produced by Arts Council England –