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Process
Development
Introduction
Process Development is change either to the process of creating community
groups or to the functioning of existing groups that results in improvement
in the group's efficiency and effectiveness. Process development is essential
for the optimal functioning of communities and their groups because it
changes the way things are currently being done to improve communities'
and groups' capacity to create and sustain needed change.
When working to improve the lives of children, youth, and families in
a community, there is often the need for fundamental changes in the way
things are done in a particular community. For example, a community might
possess an infinite amount of resources, mobilized citizens, and community
friendly policies but still fail to reach its potential due to a breakdown
in the processes through which those assets are accessed, utilized and
integrated. Clearly, efficient and effective processes are imperative
for the functioning of any system.
Much of the literature in process development is located under the heading
of "Systems Change." The authors decided to be more specific in that the
processes rather than the structures of the system would be the focus
here. Whereas structural factors seek to assess changes in the community
resources and policies, process development seeks to provide tools for
assessing a change in the way a community group is formed and operates.
If the focus of a local project is to improve the processes by which a
community works, the following resources will provide information for
evaluating efforts to create strong groups and strengthen existing groups.
"Systems change is significant, sustainable change in the way business
is conducted." (Chynoweth, 1994, p. 86).
"We define systems change as a revision of the ways that people and institutions
think, behave, and use their resources to affect fundamentally the types,
quality, and degree of service delivery to children and families." (Melaville
& Blank, 1993, P. vii).
Two main levels, each consisting of 5 primary process components, form
the basis for a community evaluation of process development. These levels
and components include the following:
I. Creating strong community groups involves building a cohesive group
with a common vision and articulated plan.
Before community linkages are in place to change/impact the community,
it is essential to build a strong foundation so that people will feel
they are a cohesive unit working for a common purpose. The following are
the primary process components for creating strong linkages:
1) Strategic Planning - A strategic planning process should include the
development of integrated goals, objectives, mission, vision, implementation
plan, etc., to provide potential group members with a clear picture of
what to expect from the community group.
2) Key Stakeholders - Including multiple partners in group development,
program implementation, and evaluation processes will enable group members,
representing the concerns of all constituencies, to be at the table when
making group decisions.
3) Community Building - Developing community cohesion and mobilizing citizens
will provide a supportive context for community organizing and programming.
4) Link to Research Base - Developing programs based on what we know to
work will enable community groups to implement effective community programs,
thus saving valuable resources from being used on ineffective programs.
5) Community assessment - Developing programming through knowledge of
community needs and assets, tailored to meet community identified issues,
will ensure that the community group is acting in a manner to benefit
the community.
I. Strengthening existing community groups: Once community groups have
been formed, a systemic intervention might show need for improvement in
group functioning and efficiency. The following are the primary process
components of strengthening existing community groups:
1) Leadership Development - Developing leadership to best meet the needs
of the group will enable group leaders to represent the stakeholders,
effectively respond to community members' needs, and create productive
groups.
2) Communication Development - Promoting clear and open communication
both within the group and with those external to the group will ensure
that all information is disseminated to everyone involved and that all
decision-makers are informed.
3) Research and Evaluation - Ongoing assessment to evaluate and refine
the programming efforts will allow community groups to maintain awareness
of current research and refine programs as needed.
4) Sustainability - Developing structures to continue community group
and programming efforts to completion will allow community groups to sustain
their efforts over time.
5) Resources - Increasing the integration, accessibility, and usage of
available resources will enable others to benefit from the group's findings.
Summary
Process Development is an essential component of increasing the capacity
of community groups and agencies to positively impact the lives of children,
youth, and families in a community. Many intervention programs seek to
impact the community without increasing the functioning of the existing
community groups, which often leads to ineffective intervention programs.
By evaluating the groups in a community and seeking to improve the processes
in that community group, more effective programming can be facilitated.
Overall Process Development Tools |
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