Our Strategies

FFG works with partners and in-community to create and implement strategic approaches to all of its projects. We want to share some of our thinking, and the resources that support it, as we continue to learn and grow. As this work is a dynamic space, this page will be continually updated and expanded on.

How we get it done:

Content Creation

We like to tell stories in a different and refreshing way. When we start the process of creating content, whether it is a flier, a report, an explainer video, or outreach material for students, we are thinking about the life cycle of that piece of content.

Some of the questions we ask are:

• Who is the audience and how can we engage them?

• How can it connect to other products? 

• Does it serve the larger brand? 

• Who can access it?

•  Is the design inclusive?

Mapping

Asset Mapping

An Asset Map “is a tool for identifying and visualizing existing strengths in a community. Asset maps can take many forms and cover many topics, but the ultimate goal— underscoring local strengths—remains the same. The final format of each map depends heavily on the needs and capabilities of the organization creating it.”
https://digitalpromise.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/asset-mapping.pdf

Journey Mapping

A journey map is a visualization of the process that a person goes through in order to accomplish a goal. This is another tool that can provide important context and insight as we develop products and systems. The process can be achieved in many different ways and by using a variety of methods. The main goal is to learn about the experiences of a person, or group of people, as they interact with something. This allows us to understand what works, what doesn’t, and even how people feel along the way. Here is an explainer video by Megan Grocki from UX Mastery on how to create a customer journey map: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSxpVRo3BLg

Pathway and Program Mapping

Pathways define a series of structured and connected education programs and support services that enable students, often while working, to advance to better jobs with higher levels of education and training. Maps are highly customized to the pathway and needs of the organization.

Example components:

• Program courses and units.

• Timeline for each level/program; number of semesters to complete the program, etc.

• Prerequisites (academic/employment) needed to enter each level/program.

• Certificates, degrees, acknowledgements, and licenses earned after completing each level/program.

• Career/employment options students gain after completing each level/program. Job titles, sample job descriptions, and earnings information.

Career Education Pathway Map

The purpose of a career education pathway map is to help students make informed decisions about how to reach their desired destination by providing an overview of the following:

1. Sequenced program offerings within a department or discipline.

2. A comprehensive list of available support to encourage persistence.

3. Opportunities to gain industry recognized experience in pursuit of gainful employment.

Research clearly shows that the career pathways model, and the informed decision-making it encourages in students, leads to improved academic and classroom outcomes, increased student persistence, and overall improved student lifetime achievements.

How to use your pathway map:

• Tell the story of your pathway.

•  Incorporate your pathway map into your program review.

• Strengthen connections and make new ones by sharing your pathway with high school partners, industry, universities and more.

• Engage incoming students. 

• Create student-facing outreach materials.

• Help students plan and track their progress by building personalized education plans with the support of a counselor.

• Prioritize future needs.

• Create a list of funding priorities based on the desired future state of your pathway.

User-Centered Design

When creating experiences and products it is key to keep the user at the center of the project. You will notice this in a few different ways.

Equitable and Inclusive Design

We want everyone at the table - inclusive design means exactly that. A meaningful way to center equity is to always think about who is showing up and who is not. We will always encourage and push for those conversations.

Focus Groups

We love focus groups! Talking to students, practitioners, community members and anyone else who is a stakeholder is the best way to start and finish a design project.

Methodology

We have a tried and tested methodology to help you achieve your goals:

1. Discovery:
   Together we’ll explore your desired outcomes to find the right type of focus session for your project.

2. Outreach:
   We’ll help you strategize about how to fill your focus groups, and design inclusive invitations for every communication channel.

3. Focus Sessions:
   We’ll plan and facilitate your virtual or in-person sessions, so you don’t have to.

4. Data Analysis:
   We take that individualized feedback and transform it into actionable data.

5. Exploration:
   We explore our findings with your team, empowering you to keep the focus on your user.