History of the Connectivity Compass

In an era where digital connectivity is fundamental to community development and resilience, many regional and remote areas still face significant challenges. Addressing these issues requires a strategic, holistic approach, and that’s where the Connectivity Compass comes in. This blog post, the first in a series, delves into the history of the Connectivity Compass, tracing its origins through the Queensland Connects Program and the dedicated efforts of the Connectivity Team.

The Queensland Connects Program

Queensland Connects is a regional entrepreneurship acceleration program that supports regional leaders to develop a detailed understanding of the strengths of their region or sector. The aim of the program is to educate and allow leaders to:

• Identify local solutions which strengthen their region/sector’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem
• Implement initiatives which build connections across the region or sector’s innovation ecosystem
• Accelerate economic growth and job creation through innovation-driven entrepreneurship

The program brings together teams who nominate to work on a shared vision and collaborative initiatives for an identified regional/industry challenge (their ‘must win battle’) or to unlock key regional opportunities that will help connect and grow the region or sector. The teams are made up of key regional innovation ecosystem leaders, including:

• Entrepreneurs
• Corporate representatives and enterprises
• Universities and research institutes
• Government
• Investors and/or risk capital representatives

To help develop strategies and initiatives to help solve their challenge or unlock key regional opportunities, each team will work with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and will leverage the internationally regarded Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP) framework and resources.

Queensland Connects is part of the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland Regional Futures initiative.

Specifically, Cohort 4 of this program focused on Disaster Resilience and Preparedness, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. This program brought together diverse teams to address regional challenges and unlock opportunities through collaborative innovation.

The Connectivity Team

Within Cohort 4, the Connectivity Team emerged, driven by the vision of enhancing digital connectivity as a means to boost community resilience. The team comprised a mix of government officials, local council representatives, academic experts from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and entrepreneurs from regional Queensland. This diverse group brought a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to bridging the digital divide.

The Team was curated and selected by the Advance Team and the program facilitated by the Queensland University of Technology Innovation Team. T

The Connectivity Team included:

	Dr Ivano Bongiovanni – General Manager at AUSCERT Cyber Emergency Response Team and Senior Lecturer in Information Security, Governance and Leadership with the UQ Business School.		Hari Boppudi – former CEO of Flinders Shire Council , entrepreneur and engineer.
	Miranda Mears – Innovation and technology strategist, Managing Director of the Australian Impact Group,  entrepreneur and President of Townsville Chamber of Commerce.		Stephen Nicholson – ICT policy and strategy implementation specialist and currently leading the development of the Queensland Digital Infrastructure Plan
	Fraser Nai – entrepreneur based on Masig Island in the Torres Strait with extensive first-hand experience with connectivity issues in remote and regional Queensland.		Kristie McKenna – Ipswich City Council’s Senior Emergency Management Officer.
	Wesley Huffstutter – Entrepreneur in residence at QUT and an experienced professional in the fields of IT, cybersecurity and entrepreneurship.

The Strategic Approach to Uncovering the Connectivity Challenge

To develop a robust solution, the Connectivity Team embarked on a series of intensive workshops. These sessions were not just about brainstorming ideas but involved deep dives into the unique connectivity challenges faced by different communities.  The objective of the Queensland Connects Program to synthesise  the problem, identify a model to support regional connectivity resilience and establish a proof of concept model. 

On the basis of the model presented at an Advance Queensland presentation to key stakeholders at Queensland Parliament House the team was awarded a minor seed funding to further develop the model which was coined the Connectivity Compass.

Here’s a look at the strategic problem-solving and design techniques used:

1. Stakeholder Engagement:

   • Engaging a broad range of stakeholders ensured a comprehensive understanding of the challenges. This included inputs from local government, private sector leaders, and academic experts.

2. Problem Identification:

   • Through thorough analyses, the team identified specific connectivity issues, such as gaps in infrastructure, digital skills, and access to resources.

3. Design Thinking:

   • Adopting design thinking principles, the team approached the problem with empathy, focusing on the real needs of community members and ideating innovative solutions.

4. Iterative Development:

   • An iterative process allowed for continuous refinement of ideas. Initial concepts were tested, feedback was gathered, and solutions were adapted to better meet community needs.

5. Systems Thinking:

   • By considering the interconnections between technology, people, processes, and capabilities, the team developed a holistic framework that addresses the broader implications of connectivity.

6. Benchmarking and Standard Setting:

   • Establishing clear benchmarks and standards helped in setting achievable goals and measuring progress, ensuring all stakeholders had a common understanding of what good connectivity looks like.

7. Collaborative Innovation:

   • The workshops fostered a collaborative environment, valuing different perspectives and leading to more robust, inclusive solutions.

The Connectivity Compass Framework

The culmination of these efforts was the Connectivity Compass—a comprehensive, community-led framework designed to bridge the digital divide. This framework provides a consistent explanation of connectivity, defines benchmarks, and consolidates programs to support communities in understanding their gaps and needs. By connecting communities with government, private sector, and academic resources, the Connectivity Compass aims to foster resilient, digitally inclusive communities.

Next in the Series

This blog post has provided an overview of the history and strategic development of the Connectivity Compass. In our next post, we will unveil the Connectivity Compass Framework in detail, explaining its components and how it aims to enhance digital participation and resilience. Stay tuned to learn more about this groundbreaking initiative and its impact on communities.

The third post in our series will focus on the role of Community Connectivity Champions, the local stakeholders who will drive the implementation and success of the Connectivity Compass in their regions.

Stay tuned for more insights and updates on this transformative journey towards digital inclusion and community resilience.