Front End Tool - template
The Front End Tool template provides a logical sequence of steps to guide informed action design.
Use the headings as your framework and the descriptions within each heading to craft your content.
Note that the output of each section will be the input to the next.
Front End Tool
Context
Briefly tell a story, including the most important points. What is going on that makes you want to take action? Who is involved? What is going on? What is the problem or opportunity that needs to be addressed?
Need
Who needs what? There may be more than one group, each having a different need.
Focus
A one-sentence statement that describes the task required in brief specific terms. SMARTA would be good. For example: “Design a program to be delivered by June 30, 2020, that provide skills, confidence and relationships for at least 25 people to collaborate to grow the community’s resilience to ‘disasters’.” A good focus helps the program stay on track and guides decision-making.
Outcomes
In dot point or numbered list, describe less than 6 outcomes that should be achieved to achieve the focus.
Outputs
In dot points or numbers list tangible things that will be produced during the project. For example: program process, reports, workbooks, workshops, etc.
Assumptions
Inevitably we will not have all the information we need, yet still have to make decisions. Therefore, we use assumptions. Record assumptions here to ensure they are checked for their usefulness as the project unfolds. This is an important source of analysis and learning from action.
Values
What values are important that must not be offended in design and implementing.
Principles
What principles, rules or rules of thumb, will guide action to reduce risks and maximise outcomes?
Questions
What more information is needed to help design and action?
Ideas
Here you can park options for the way forward that may arise as you go through previous steps.
©McAllister Leadership
Use the headings as your framework and the descriptions within each heading to craft your content.
Note that the output of each section will be the input to the next.
Front End Tool
Context
Briefly tell a story, including the most important points. What is going on that makes you want to take action? Who is involved? What is going on? What is the problem or opportunity that needs to be addressed?
Need
Who needs what? There may be more than one group, each having a different need.
Focus
A one-sentence statement that describes the task required in brief specific terms. SMARTA would be good. For example: “Design a program to be delivered by June 30, 2020, that provide skills, confidence and relationships for at least 25 people to collaborate to grow the community’s resilience to ‘disasters’.” A good focus helps the program stay on track and guides decision-making.
Outcomes
In dot point or numbered list, describe less than 6 outcomes that should be achieved to achieve the focus.
Outputs
In dot points or numbers list tangible things that will be produced during the project. For example: program process, reports, workbooks, workshops, etc.
Assumptions
Inevitably we will not have all the information we need, yet still have to make decisions. Therefore, we use assumptions. Record assumptions here to ensure they are checked for their usefulness as the project unfolds. This is an important source of analysis and learning from action.
Values
What values are important that must not be offended in design and implementing.
Principles
What principles, rules or rules of thumb, will guide action to reduce risks and maximise outcomes?
Questions
What more information is needed to help design and action?
Ideas
Here you can park options for the way forward that may arise as you go through previous steps.
©McAllister Leadership