1. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step ABCD – Strategic Planning Process

2. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step ABCD Awareness Baseline Creative Solutions Decide on Priorities Present Future Is it a step in the right direction? Is it a flexible platform? Is it a good return on investment?

3. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step Applying the ABCD process

4. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step A. Step 1.Gain an understanding of the larger system – the Biosphere 2.Define the sub-system in question Your chosen river case 3. a. Envision a sustainable society to set the context What are the key characteristics of a sustainable society? What will the life support systems look like in a sustainable society? b. Envision a sustainable river system (or part of it) What are the key characteristics of such a system?

5. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step ABCD Awareness Baseline Creative Solutions Decide on Priorities Present Future Is it a step in the right direction? Is it a flexible platform? Is it a good return on investment?

6. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step B. Step – Sustainability Analysis 1.Determine scope of analysis. What is the subject of analysis (e.g. organization, system, product, etc) within the biosphere? 2.Determine stakeholders. 3.Identify the flows of inputs, outputs and waste. 4.Now analyze the system using the four system conditions 5.Identify key areas of improvement and positive assets that can be built upon.

7. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step B1 – Determine the scope Your river / catchment / …

8. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step System Customers Community/Region PoliticiansSuppliers General Public Interest Groups Partners Researchers & Universities Media Social Factors For example, lifestyle, values, culture, demography, ethics, trends in media and business Economical factors For example world market prize on raw material, relative prizes, inflation, interest, unemployment Competitors Owners Co-Workers B2 – Determine Stakeholders Political Factors For example political goals, guidelines, laws, taxes, subventions for environment Technical Factors For example R&D, technical systems, standards, patent, environment and health aspects relative prizes

9. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step B2 – Determine Stakeholders 1. In small groups list all the stakeholders who might impact or be impacted by the river system 2. Prioritize the top 5 stakeholder groups who will be most important to engage with.

10. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step B3 – Determine Flows Step #3: Identify inputs, outputs and waste Draw a diagram showing (for your case); What are the Needs you are meeting in society? What is the end product or service (Output)? What goes in to make this (Input)? What is left-over (Waste)? What is Lost?

11. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN NEEDS AffectionProtection Understanding ParticipationSubsistenceFreedom Identity Idleness Creation Matrix of Human Needs

12. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step B 4 – SC Analysis For your area of analysis, using the system conditions: List the positive & negative aspects on th eriver system SC1, SC2 & SC3 & SC4

13. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step SC1...concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust, SC2...concentrations of substances produced by society, SC3...degradation by physical means, SC4...people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs. In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing... and, in that society... System Success Strategy Action Tools System Conditions

14. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step B5 – Determine Significant Areas Overall, what do you feel are the most significant sustainability challenges? What are the key improvement areas? What are the best assets it can build upon?

15. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step ABCD Awareness Baseline Creative Solutions Decide on Priorities Present Future Is it a step in the right direction? Is it a flexible platform? Is it a good return on investment?

16. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step C. Step 1.Brainstorm actions, programs, infrastructure, investments that might take us toward our sustainability vision.

17. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step ABCD Awareness Baseline Creative Solutions Decide on Priorities Present Future Is it a step in the right direction? Is it a flexible platform? Is it a good return on investment?

18. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step Is it a step in the right direction? Is it a good return on investment? Is it a flexible platform? 2 3 1 D. Step - Three Strategic Questions

19. Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step D. Step Your Challenge: You are a team of water managers that have to improve the river system. Formulate: 1.Three short-term actions that can be taken forward (low hanging fruit). 2.Three long-term measures that you recommend and why. List stakeholders needed to realize your measures and those who are most impacted. What needs to change to be successful?