Communities face an ever-increasing array of complex challenges. Identifying the priorities that will most effectively advance your community is critically important, especially at a time of diminishing resources. The JDP GROUP team has the experience and know-how to help you identify priorities and put into action a plan that will get you results that you can measure and communicate to the public.

The pressure to develop balanced budgets on an annual basis often obscures the need for long-term financial planning. Realistic forecasting of the capital and operating costs to achieve community goals sheds light on options and impacts obscured in the normal budgeting process. "Key Financial Strategies" (KFS) is a proven financial planning system that improves your ability to achieve long-term needs and provides a framework for making day-to-day financial decisions.

Developing a clear, compelling and relevant community vision permits communities to develop a focused strategic plan to accomplish their priorities. Experience demonstrates that a vision without a plan is a dream, and a plan without a vision is a nightmare. However developing a shared vision that will be embraced by disparate community interests can be a challenge. Our JDP GROUP team has the experience and skill sets needed to help you engage your organization, staff, community and stakeholders. We can help you develop and deploy a vision aimed at creating a better community now and for future generations.

Development and redevelopment are keys to community vitality. Communities that are successful with development and redevelopment understand the five elements to success. Those elements include:

• Financial feasibility;
• Market feasibility;
• Alignment to community goals;
• Public support, and
• Experienced developer.

The JDP GROUP team has a track record of completing more than $5 billion of development ranging from neighborhood mixed-use development to large-scale regional development. Our skills include development marketing, developer qualification, development analysis, development assistance negotiations, project management and public engagement. Most importantly, our system places you clearly in control of the development process and helps you accelerate your development from concept to reality.

Not all development is created equal. Understanding the financial impact of both short and long-term operating and capital costs is an important factor when evaluating development proposals and community planning. The JDP GROUP team will provide an analysis of the immediate and long-term financial impacts of development proposals. In addition, we provide recommendations of how to improve financial performance through changes in development plans and service systems.

We all understand the importance of gaining public input and support for critical community decisions for new public facilities, development, redevelopment, financial issues and many other matters. We also understand the challenges communities face when engaging the public on complex and time-sensitive issues. Proper execution of public engagement will promote getting projects done faster and with more public support. The JDP GROUP team has received national recognition for the quality of public engagement initiatives including disaster-related community planning, redevelopment and city services.

At the heart of every successful effort to reach community goals is a program of strategic communications. When undertaking change, communities increasingly understand that they must be proactive in framing issues and planning for the unique needs of diverse audiences. Communities that do not, risk losing control of the message and ultimately the issue. The award-winning JDP GROUP team understands you need insightful and incisive communications planning and execution. Whether it is crisis communications, disaster recovery, facility planning, redevelopment, annexation, cost control or other issues, we can help you shape communications that are effective and help you get results.

Organizations provide the structure needed for their people to get results. High performing organizations know how to optimize the efforts of their members. The traits of these organizations include accountability, balance, communication, discipline, engagement and focus. Leaders of high performing organizations know that if you want to achieve organizational results more rapidly, you need to invest time and energy in improving the performance of these traits. The JDP GROUP team will guide your team in building practical and results-focused systems and skills designed to enhance your organization's performance.

A primary responsibility for leaders to build greater a greater community for future generations. That only happens when attention is given to the triple bottom line; environment, economics and quality of life. Our team of experienced professionals will partner with your community in assessing your capacities and opportunities and then to build systems to help assure that your community is positioned to build a greater future for generations to come.

Communities are diligent in their efforts to avoid crisis. But sooner or later your community will face a crisis, either natural or man-made. When that happens you will be judged on your response. That will become a defining moment, and time will not be on your side. Whether it is preparing a crisis management plan ahead of a crisis or providing experienced hands-on problem-solving during a crisis, the JDP GROUP team is ready with the skills and systems needed to help you through troubled times.

Resilient communities don't just survive difficult times. They are prepared to translate adversity into opportunity. But resiliency is not just about adversity. The cornerstones to resiliency can help build a better community under any circumstances. Research shows resilient communities:

• Have a clear, shared community vision;
• Practice meaningful public engagement;
• Build strong community and regional relationships, and
• Operate effective systems including strategic, financial, project management, operating, public engagement, customer service and process improvement.

The JDP GROUP team can facilitate strategies to help you build some or all of these capacities.

The cost of government is driven by three distinct factors – the "menu" of services provided, the service area, and the effectiveness and efficiency of providing those services. Increasing public scrutiny regarding the cost of government is prompting communities to take actions impacting one or more of these areas. However, it is rarely simple to identify the options most likely to yield immediate results without sacrificing long-term community quality of life. The JDP GROUP team can work with you to develop strategies that produce solid analysis of options and strategies. Cost of government services include:

• Privatization analysis and structures;
• Organizational analysis;
• Systems review;
• Process improvement ("Lean");
• Shared and regional services;
• Business plan development;
• Performance measurement;
• Cost of service analysis, and
• Customer service measurement and improvement systems.