Regional Connectivity Infrastructure Strategy Framework
Connectivity Initiative for [Insert]

Purpose of this document

The purpose of the Connectivity Infrastructure Strategy Framework is to clearly communicate and obtain community support for a plan to realize the potential of a highly connected region. The framework is based on a shared vision and measurable objectives in relation to clear needs and identified strategic benefits.

The document is structured in three areas, flowing from general strategic considerations to specific considerations of the initiatives and the sponsoring organization.

Green text shows the intent of each section and provides some examples. These texts must be removed for the final version of the document.

This diagram outlines the intent of the document and its different components:

Sections of this framework can be completed using as a reference the “Connectivity Handbook”, published by Northern Development Initiative Trust and available here:

https://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Connectivity-Handbook.pdf

Table of Contents

Strategic Perspective	3

Vision	3

Benefit Statement	3

Strategic Objectives/Goals	3

Initiative Objectives and Scope	3

Specific Objectives	3

Scope	4

Detailed Analysis	5

Components & Milestones	5

Cost	5

Strategic Perspective (Why)

Provide a paragraph or two describing what the region hopes to achieve with increased connectivity and state the priority of connectivity over the other initiatives is being executed. Links to previous documents such as community plans, business cases, strategic mandates, and other initiatives should be included to keep this section brief since those documents contain justification, strategic alignment, etc.

[Insert strategic summary]

Vision

The vision summarizes the desired future state, after benefit delivery, in one to three short, compelling sentences. The vision communicates the end-goal to all stakeholders in terms they understand with words that achieve buy-in and motivation. (Example: To create a common infrastructure for broadband access in communities to provide access to essential services like telehealth, virtual education, and improve access of emergency services to reliable connectivity).

[Insert Vision here]

Benefit Statement

Outline why this initiative is important and what it needs to achieve. Tie this back to the vision. What is the connectivity issue, or connectivity opportunity it is meant to take advantage of? Relate back to the key components and add anything else of value to your stakeholders. Those key components may include: health, education, public safety, and job creation. These benefits can also be linked to community, regional, Provincial, or industry benefits. Section 1 of the Connectivity Handbook will provide some ideas as to why connectivity is important.

[Insert Benefit Statement here]

Strategic Objectives/Goals

Provide a brief, concise statement of what the objectives of the initiative would be. Objectives should be SMART (specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time-related) (Examples: Provide points of presence in 50% of communities within the geographical area. Provide 50 Mbps access to 60% of all households. Provide a redundant fiber loop with access to the Vancouver Exchange)

[Insert Objectives/Goals here]

Initiative Objectives and Scope (What)

Specific Objectives

Describe specific objectives and what criteria will be used to measure, by providing measurable objectives and benefits in the charts below. Consideration should be given to what can be measured upon evaluation of the initiative and what may have to be measured after completing specific projects and transitioned to the operators of the infrastructure or service. These success criteria should be defined at the high level; projects within the initiative will have their own success criteria and measures established for that particular set of objectives and deliverables. Each category below may have a different number of criteria. Typical objectives are linked to coverage, speed, technologies, and affordability. Support your objectives with maps. Express the benefits in terms of differences between current and future state. Perform steps 1-2 in Section 2 of the Connectivity Handbook in order to reach the right objectives for your particular situation.

Success of Products/Services

How will it be determined that what is delivered through the components are what was asked for, relevant to constraints such as scope and quality?

Criteria for Success of Products/Services	Planned Measurement(s)
e.g. The 6 larger communities within the region will be connected with fiber to the home	90% of the homes within the community boundary will have a fiber connection

Success of Outcome (delivery of benefits/objectives/vision)

How will it be determined that what is delivered provides benefit to people and achieves the vision?

Criteria for Success of Outcome	Planned Measurement(s)
e.g. High number of home connected to 50 Mbps service	At least 60% of households in region connected on year 1, 80% on year 2, and 90% on year 3
All RCMP detachments, health providers, and SAR teams connected with 50 Mbps by the end of year 3

Scope

What is and is not included in the scope of this strategy? If scope will be accomplished through various phases, include that information in this section. (for example: Phase 1 will be the deployment of the broadband backbone between X and Y. Phase 2 will be the installation of last-mile solutions in communities A, B, and C. The initiative will not consider last-mile access to the XX area).

[Insert Scope here]

Detailed Analysis (How)

Perform steps 3-4 in Section 2 of the Connectivity Handbook in order to obtain the information required to define the scope, components and cost, along with the financial needs and the available funding mechanisms.

Components & Milestones

What components (projects and other initiatives) are required to achieve the objectives? What are the approximate timelines for the components? What are the milestones? This can be documented with a roadmap/timeline illustration with its components and milestones, and a brief description of each component and milestone. The sum of the components must be equal to the scope.

[Insert Components & Milestones here]

Cost

What is the cost of reaching the strategic objectives, and how is it allocated across the components? Describe the possible sources of funding. Describe funding conditions that may affect the development of the initiative. Estimates are in the “ball park” range (typically +/- 75%). They are required to understand a rough order or magnitude for the required investments. (For example: Federal funding from x will only be available if contributions from the municipalities account for 50% of the initiative funding.)

[Insert cost estimates here]