Welcome to the Open Digital Planning (ODP) community! One of the biggest benefits LPAs such as yourself have told us you get from the programme is the chance to connect and collaborate with others facing similar challenges and opportunities in digital planning.
This guidance aims to help you make the most of those connections. We know from speaking with you that collaboration happens in different ways – sometimes it's informal chats, sometimes it's sparked by regular programme activities, and sometimes it involves more structured groups. Asking questions and sharing challenges openly is encouraged – it's how we all move forward.
This page offers simple models and practical tips for collaborating, based on how LPAs are already successfully working together. Think of these styles (Casual, Community, Structured) as a helpful way to understand connection, not rigid rules – collaboration often flows naturally between them. Everyone here is learning, so don't worry about having all the answers; connecting is how we improve together.
👋 What is casual collaboration?
This is all about the informal connections and conversations that happen naturally within the Open Digital Planning community. It includes everything from the chats you have at ODP event to the direct messages you send on Slack to reaching out to someone whose work catches your eye.
From speaking with the wider community, we've learned this kind of informal collaboration is incredibly valuable. It helps you share knowledge, get quick advice, find support from peers facing similar challenges, and build relationships across the programme. It's often where the 'magic' of the ODP community happens!
There's no need for a formal reason or setup to connect with others this way – everyone is learning and figuring things out together. Collaboration is reciprocal – offer help when you can, ask for it when you need it.
How to collaborate casually (you're encouraged!)
The ODP community thrives on these connections. You have permission – and are actively encouraged – to reach out and connect informally. Don't worry if you feel you don't know enough about a topic or are 'behind' in the process – both likely aren't true and reaching out is how we all learn.
Here are some ways:
Use Slack
Got a question? Ask in a relevant channel – chances are someone else is wondering the same thing or can help.
Share something you're working on or have learned – it might be just what someone else needs.
See someone asking a question you can help with? Jump in!
Notice someone mention a similar challenge or interest? Send them a direct message to chat more. It's often the easiest way to start a conversation and fellow LPAs are here to help too.
At events (online or in-person)
Use chat functions or breakout rooms online to connect.
Chat with people during breaks at in-person events – asking what others are working on often leads to useful connections. Meeting face-to-face can really help break down formalities.
Follow up afterwards with people you connected with.
Follow up
- Hear something interesting in a Show & Tell or spot something in Month Notes? Reach out directly to the LPA involved to learn more.
Examples we've heard of casual collaboration
An officer connected with colleagues from another LPA via Slack to arrange travelling together to an upcoming ODP event, making the journey easier and building connections.
After connecting at an ODP event, officers from two different LPAs stayed in touch via Slack, offering each other peer support as they navigated similar challenges in their projects.
Seeing an officer from another LPA mention relevant Power BI dashboards, they sent them a direct message on Slack to ask about how they were using the dashboards. The other LPA was happy to show off their ideas, which lead to a helpful exchange.
🗓️ What are collaboration rhythms?
These are the regular activities and communication channels organised by ODP that help you share progress, learn from each other, and work in the open. They create predictable opportunities to connect and collaborate.
Key rhythms include:
Month Notes (Mandatory) Your monthly updates shared openly on a public Slack channel. Taking the opportunity to scan these for LPAs working in a similar space can be really valuable.
Fortnightly Show & Tells (Mandatory) Online sessions on Teams where 1-3 LPAs present their work, hosted by the ODP team.
Retros (Mandatory) Time to come together and discuss what is and isn't working, learn from one another and find opportunities to improve the programme.
Learning Sessions (Optional) Workshops or presentations (usually online) run by ODP's learning manager to help improve digital planning maturity.
Fortnightly Data Drop-ins (Optional, DPI fund only) An online opportunity to discuss data progress and challenges with the ODP and Data Publishing teams.
There are several ODP rhythms, many of which we highly encourage. If you're feeling overwhelmed then speak to your community manager about the ones most relevant to your work or current challenges.
Using community rhythms to find collaborators and spark action
These rhythms aren't just about broadcasting updates; they're active opportunities to connect and collaborate with others. Engaging with them helps both you and the wider community.
Sparking Connections through Sharing When preparing your Month Notes or a Show & Tell, think about what might be useful for others. Sharing challenges openly often leads to helpful advice or connections with LPAs who've tackled similar issues.
Turning Insights into Action Make time to read others' Month Notes or attend Show & Tells. Look out for keywords related to your projects, reported blockers you might have solved, or successful approaches you could learn from. Don't hesitate to follow up afterwards via Slack if something sparks your interest – referring to their specific update is a great way to start.
Connecting through Learning Treat learning sessions not just as training, but as chances to meet others interested in the same topics. Use the chat or follow up afterwards to discuss how you might apply the learning in your context.
Leveraging Data Drop-ins (DPI) Use these sessions not just for your own questions, but to hear the challenges others are facing. You might be able to offer advice or find common ground for troubleshooting together.
Examples of rhythms leading to collaboration
Following a prompt from their Community Manager, two LPAs connected to discuss shared work areas, benefiting from their different experiences.
Show & Tells have proven invaluable for learning about specific tools (like AI applications being used by other LPAs) and connecting directly with the teams leading that work.
Seeing another LPA's update, likely via Month Notes or a Show & Tell, prompted one authority to reach out directly to ask how they had successfully published all four of their required DPI datasets.
💼 What is structured collaboration?
Sometimes, you might want to collaborate with other LPAs on a specific shared challenge, topic, or learning need in a more structured way, perhaps with a bit more support from the ODP team. This approach is designed to be light-touch and driven by your needs. Working Groups and Learning Groups provide a simple framework for 3 or more LPAs to come together purposefully.
Working groups
What they are
Working groups are a way for 3 or more LPAs to work together on a shared issue or explore a common interest. They're primarily LPA initiated and run. Sometimes ODP will initiate a working group around a specific programme need.
How they help
They provide a dedicated space (like a Slack channel) and some light facilitation from your Community Manager (CM) to help you get organised and collaborate effectively on your chosen topic.
Examples
After seeing discussion in Month Notes about 'dropped kerbs', several interested LPAs connected via Slack and worked with their CM to help set up a working group to explore the issue further.
ODP convenes a Metrics & Evaluation (M&E) working group with LPAs from the Product fund to help shape and feedback on the programme's M&E framework, supported by an ODP M&E lead.
Starting and running a working group
Want to start or join a working group? Here’s a simple path:
- Find your focus and people Identify a specific topic or challenge you want to work on and connect with at least two other LPAs who share that interest (casual chats or community rhythms are great places to find them!).
- Check for existing groups Before forming a new group, check if one already exists. Search Slack channels using terms like "working group" or ask your Community Manager. You might find an active group you can join.
- Talk to your Community Manager (CM) If no suitable group exists, let your CM know you're interested in forming one. They are your main point of contact to get things moving.
- Get Set Up Your CM will help set up a dedicated Slack channel for your group and help schedule a kick-off session.
- Shape Your Group (Kick-off) You'll need to run a kick-off session, which can facilitated by your CM if you're uncomfortable doing so yourself. It’s not about setting rigid rules, but agreeing on a simple structure that works for you. Agreeing these simple points upfront helps keep the group focused, manage expectations, and ensures everyone knows how things will work. You’ll likely discuss:
- Your goal — What specific thing does the group want to achieve or explore together? Be as clear as possible.
- Who's Involved — Confirming roles or points of contact if needed.
- Ways of Working — How often will you meet? How will you communicate between meetings)? How will you track actions? Keep it simple!
- Sharing — How will you share your progress or learnings (e.g. occasional updates in main channels, a Show & Tell)?
- Wrapping Up — How will the group know when it's achieved its goal or when it's time to conclude?
- Work Together Use your agreed ways of working to collaborate on the topic. Your CM might check in with you periodically, depending on what you've agree.
- Share Back Share what you've learned or achieved with the wider ODP community as agreed – helping everyone benefit.