On Thu, Jan 7, 2016, Pete Forsyth peteforsyth@gmail.com wrote:
Me, editorializing, very briefly for now:
This answer is very bizarre. Characterizing the 2010 process as having been "outsourced" or not involving staff is wildly inaccurate, as I'm sure anybody on staff (or on the Board -- such as the board member who was in attendance at that meeting) would know. And while it may be that more people answered specific questions used to inform the plan this time around, the kind of specific questions asked were worlds away from the kind of deep engagement encouraged in the 2010 process.
Perhaps, she means that the process was outsourced to the Bridgespan Group and Blue Oxen Associates (Eugene's firm). It is mentioned on Strategy Wiki under Process[1]. Eugene and Philippe were brought in to facilitate the project which eventually led to Philippe joining WMF. Bridgespan conducted interviews and developed a "guiding paper" that became the broad-strokes for the plan itself, and eventually led to Barry and Jessie joining WMF.
As someone intimately involved in that last process, I can attest to it being open but not necessarily community designed. The task force area and the larger direction was decided by other parties involved.I am not sure if the last plan was a resounding success either. Just see the deliverable and how much was achieved - we went through a lot of changes and outright failures.
Lastly, the concern about this new plan being designed in private is something I share with the rest. The current situation with the staff and the board, the high number of new employees, acrimony with the community, along with the less than stellar performance of the last few years, any new plan designed in private under those circumstances does not sound very promising.
Regards Theo
[1] https://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Process#Phase_I:_Level-setting