The City of Phoenix's Planning and Development Department has unveiled a new suite of process improvements. Intent on streamlining development services, the department shared the details of their comprehensive strategy, which seek to enhance efficiency and ensure the department's services are fitting the diverse requirements of the Phoenix community.
Joshua Bednarek, the Director of the Planning and Development Department, highlighted the department's drive towards betterment, “Today’s presentation marks a pivotal moment for the department as we aim to make our services more accessible, efficient, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of our community,” said Bednarek in a statement reported by the department's newsroom. These enhancements come on the back of a series of listening sessions, where crucial feedback from the community and staff informed the formulation of the department's new strategic approach.
The report introduced three foundational principles – Personal, Seamless, and Innovative – that will ostensibly improve customer interaction with the department. The department plans to make the project process more comprehendible and personable by providing comprehensive organizational charts. Furthermore, an internal reorganization is to bolster innovation in the way services are delivered. With the ultimate goal being robust and responsive customer service, the department's staff is being empowered to provide seamless experiences.
Listening to community and staff feedback has evidently shaped much of the insights gathered in the report. A yearly iteration of this report will be provided to keep tabs on progress and continue this feedback loop. The department’s press release outlines that, "The feedback from the listening sessions were essential to crafting the report, reinforcing the department's dedication to working closely with partners and community members to understand their needs."
According to the department's report, several initiatives are set to be launched across seven action areas including Process Enhancements, Streamlining Plan Reviews and Permit Requirements, and Revision to Codes and Ordinances. These initiatives are informed by the latest technologies and will capitalize on the specific expertise of the planning and development team.
