Connected Communities - How-to Guide

Connected Communities BC: Digital by Design ‘How to’ Guide What is a Connected Community?

A connected community applies a digital mindset to reimagine itself in today’s interconnected world. Digitally empowered connected communities purposefully integrate technology into all aspects of community development to improve livability, workability and sustainability, while leverage existing resources in new ways to achieve greater economic, social and environmental outcomes.

What is the Connected Communities BC framework?

The Connected Communities BC framework describes five strong foundational elements that participating communities have identified as key to digital transformation: leadership & support, connectivity, sustainability, digital capability, and community wellbeing.

A self-assessment tool, based on the framework, will support communities to establish a digital roadmap to guide their development and advancement. The self-assessment tool is in early development. BC communities are invited to participate in refining the tool as a made-in-BC, for BC approach to digital transformation.

Who benefits from the Connected Communities BC framework and self-assessment tool?

The Connected Communities BC framework is designed to support communities on their digital journeys. The framework is primarily for municipal staff, and can also be used by digital champions in the business community, partner agencies and other organizations. Ideally, the framework and self-assessment is a collaborative exercise among local government, business and community organizations to gain a holistic understanding of the digital potential and needs of their community.

How is the framework and self-assessment tool used?

The self-assessment tool enables communities to assess their current state of digital maturity against a model specifically designed using input from BC communities. Communities are invited to undertake an assessment against each dimension (leadership & support, connectivity, sustainability, digital capability, and community wellbeing) using a set of clearly defined sub-dimension, to assess their relative level of digital maturity. This provides a community digital baseline and opens up discussion on strengths, gaps and areas of improvement.

The framework is useful for establishing a desired future state. It is important to recognize that the desired future state may be different for each community.

How can communities participate?

Interested communities can participate in refining the Connected Communities BC framework and selfassessment tool by contacting the Ministry of Citizens’ Services, Connected Communities BC initiative: Colleen McCormick, Director, Connected Communities BC: Colleen.McCormick@gov.bc.ca Jerri Wilkins, Liaison, Connected Communities BC: Jerri.Wilkins@gov.bc.ca