In the last couple of weeks, I delved into the topic of energy issues and what it means for social design. Through the municipality project, we are currently working on, I realized that the effort to achieve energy reductions and the awareness of the need for a strategy is largely present. However, stakeholders from the municipality claim that at the moment the knowledge about the exact status, the goals, and the strategic approach is missing. But, in practice, what does a strategic approach and a well-defined strategy mean? And why is there no energy strategy in the municipality, despite the fact that efforts to change things appear to be underway?
When looking from a manager’s point of view, a strategy is an action to attain one or more of the organization’s goals. Whereas planning is a part of the managerial process, strategy is a part of decision-making. In the process of planning a strategy, it is crucial to consider the context and its stakeholders constantly while making decisions. (Juneja. P, n.d)
So, in the case of Emmen’s missing energy strategy it might be that nobody takes full accountability in making decisions. Since this project engages stakeholders primarily in a social context the lack of clearly defined roles and task responsibilities might be contributing to this issue. That is where I believe the approach of social design may help to make decisions with people rather than for them. Because change can only happen if everyone is dedicated to the same goal and works together to achieve it.
By Chantal Jaun
Sources:
Juneja, P (n.d) Strategy – Definition and Features, P Management Study Guidehttps://www.managementstudyguide.com/strategy-definition.htm