Information technology and corporate planning would seem to be perfect partners. The Internet offers the ability to gain access to information immediately and sound corporate planning in Local Government requires the same approach across different parts of an organisation – often in different locations. The Internet can provide the same information updated to the second and this is crucial in effective corporate planning in a diverse environment.
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has made a bold step with its corporate planning forum web site on LGAQNet that allows participating councils an avenue in which experiences, information and ideas can be shared.
The site serves as a one-stop corporate planning reference point and contains examples of corporate and operational plans as well as several complementary performance management and reporting resources that support these planning processes. Member councils can post and respond to corporate planning issues, create new categories and monitor the development and progress of issues online.
The Corporate Planning Forum is an excellent web site well worth further investigation for all Local Governments wishing to advance contemporary corporate planning practice. Available currently to Queensland councils only through both the Internet and Lotus Notes, it is located under the ‘Information Centre’ menu on LGAQNet.
