Refining Strategy via Ecosystem Analysis and Inclusive Design
Opportunity
Civic Works reached a point where its job quality work required sharper strategic focus and clearer positioning within the ecosystem.
The organization aimed to refine its strategic focus, strengthen its position within the broader ecosystem, and align its work more closely with community needs and systems-level opportunities.
Our Approach
We partnered with Civic Works to clarify strategic priorities, understand the surrounding job quality ecosystem, and co-design a path forward grounded in inclusive and evidence-informed processes.
Our work focused on:
- Clarifying strategic direction
- Analyzing ecosystem dynamics and stakeholder perspectives
- Embedding inclusive design into strategy development
What We Did
Strategic Direction & Alignment
- Clarified organizational priorities related to job quality, aligned with community needs and values
- Worked with leadership and staff in defining a more focused strategic direction
System & Stakeholder Insight
- Conducted and synthesized insights from 30+ stakeholder interviews and research
- Mapped the job quality ecosystem in Baltimore to identify key actors, gaps, and opportunities
Inclusive Strategy Design
- Co-led staff design sessions to support inclusive decision-making and strategy development
- Embedded job quality frameworks into program planning and operational systems
Ecosystem Positioning & Strategy
- Developed strategic frameworks to strengthen Civic Works’ role within the job quality ecosystem
- Refined organizational narrative to reflect its positioning and influence
What Changed
Civic Works clarified and refined its strategic focus on job quality The organization clarified its role within the broader ecosystem
Staff and leadership engaged in more inclusive and structured decision-making processes Job quality frameworks were integrated more directly into program planning and operations Key Deliverables
Stakeholder interview synthesis and research insights Ecosystem analysis and positioning frameworks
Facilitated strategy design sessions
Strategic blueprint for advancing job quality initiatives