Renewing Organizaitons through Person-Centered Planning – O’Brien & Mount

Renewing Organizations Through Person-Centered Planning: A Quick Overview ​

This insightful document by John O’Brien and Beth Mount explores how human service organizations can transform through person-centered planning. ​ It introduces a five-part framework for fostering meaningful change: Personal Futures Planning, Interactive Problem Solving, Strategic Redesign, Systematic Evaluation, and Structured Reflection. ​ Each activity plays a unique role in creating a more inclusive, values-driven organization. ​

At its heart, Personal Futures Planning brings together people who know and care about an individual to envision desirable futures and craft collaborative strategies to achieve them. ​ The process is supported by Interactive Problem Solving, which empowers small groups to creatively tackle day-to-day challenges, and Strategic Redesign, which focuses on investing resources to build new community opportunities and roles for people. ​ Systematic Evaluation ensures that changes are effective and efficient, while Structured Reflection deepens understanding of ethical issues in serving marginalized individuals. ​

The document also outlines a practical cycle for managing innovation, emphasizing the importance of listening to people, increasing initiative, and redesigning organizational structures to sustain progress. ​ It’s a call to action for decision-makers to invest in all aspects of the cycle, ensuring that person-centered planning becomes a transformative practice rather than a hollow ritual. ​

Whether you’re a leader, advocate, or changemaker, this guide offers a thoughtful roadmap to creating organizations that truly prioritize the people they serve. ​ Dive in to learn how to make a lasting impact!