Building STEEPLeS

George Clark, 11 December 2008

Those who climb steeples get a bird's eye view. They see the big picture and take the grander perspective. Whether as analyst, policy-maker or planner at global, national, district, community or individual level it helps to be systematic and comprehensive in your way of thinking. Checklists can help.

The following table traces the growth of a seven point STEEPLeS checklist as a tool to ensure wide ranging and insightful thinking about the development process[1].

 

E	The single bottom line is the economic (financial) one. The only goal and measure of success is net income – by whatever means and at whatever external cost[2].
ESE	The triple bottom line[3] captures an expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational (and societal) success: Economic, Social and Environmental[4]
STEP	This is an acronym for the Social, Technological, Economic and Political factors of the external environment. Realistic and feasible policies have to address all the factors. They are often listed less optimistically as PEST[5].
STEEP	This puts the environmental factor into the STEP collection and moves closer to being comprehensive. There is a STEEP learning curve for policy makers seeking integration, coordination and harmonisation.
STEEPLe	This adds 'legislation' to the STEEP collection of factors. This is in recognition of the fact that policies often have to be embedded in legal frameworks if they are to be effective.
STEEPLeS	This adds spirituality to the collection. It highlights the need for a deep change in value systems and beliefs as part of the development process. Policy is guided by the motivations and intentions of the policy makers.

 

"Since wars begin in the minds of men it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed."
From the preamble of UNESCO's Constitution

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[1]  From STEEP onwards the growth is due to my involvement as a plain language author with Hakikazi Catalyst – a Tanzanian CSO - see www.hakikazi.org

[2]  This is a very narrow minded approach that has now, arguably, been largely superseded - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottom_line

[3]  For more on the TBL see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line. Note that in the private sector, a commitment to corporate social responsibility implies a commitment to some form of TBL reporting

[4]  Also referred to as "People, Planet, Profit"

[5]  For more on PEST see http://www.netmba.com/strategy/pest/