Final Report: Strengthening Community Research in ... - Ninti One

2.3 Risk assessmentA set of ‘critical success factors’ was part of the risk assessment for the project. The value of identifying criticalsuccess factors is that it enables Ninti One to understand and manage risk. Through an awareness of these factorswe were better able to focus efforts on those aspects of the work that were central to achieving the objectives ofthe project.Critical Success Factor 1: A good understanding is developed between Ninti One and the communityEnsuring that Ntaria community is supportive of the local research project is critical to success.Wurla Nyinta worked with the researchers to consolidate the research use for the community.Job Provider had some input to link two people into work.The School had discussions about a possible workspace, and also in relation to the community priority fordeveloping a Knowledge Centre.The Strehlow Research Centre was linked with the school to facilitate aspects of the Knowledge Centredevelopment.The Art Centre did not participate in any research beyond initial discussions about the project, as theyhave a busy schedule.The Historic Precinct was very helpful and supportive in allowing us room for meetings andaccommodation.GBM and IEO were mainstay supports, offering good insight and interest in the ‘daily’ activities as well aslonger-term strategic thinking when asked.The Aboriginal Knowledge and Intellectual Property Protocol Community Guide was referenced in ourworksheets: ‘What is Good Community research?’A very small temporary office workspace was made available at the GBM complex for storage of files andcomputers so researchers could start working independently of the SRO being on-site. The office doubledas a sleeping space when the SRO was on the community.Researchers were given regular reports to Wurla Nyinta about the project and received requests forparticular topics to be researched from the community.Critical Success Factor 2: Identification of suitable people who are willing and able to be employed on thisprojectCritical to the success of this project was the ability of Ninti One to be able to find people in Ntaria willing and ableto be employed on this project. The project engaged with eleven researchers and retains access to seven of themas Community Researchers in Ntaria. Three of those have eight to eleven months’ experience with the project.Critical Success Factor 3: The community has the capacity to contribute to, and participate in, the planning,implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the RSDCritical to the success of this project was the capacity of community members to participate in a meaningful wayto the implementation and annual review of the LIP. The survey results for Safe Driving in Ntaria have influencedWurla Nyinta discussions about safe driving, and the recommendations from the survey for increased training andaccess to driving school have been taken up with service providers to establish access for people in Ntaria to theseservices. The survey results have led researchers to undertake discussions with police about local statistics ondriving offences, opening a new avenue of dialogue between NT Police at Ntaria and the local community.Critical Success Factor 4: The research contributions are useful to the community and the RSDIn the short term the projects contributed directly to development and achievement of outcome prioritiesidentified under the LIP and supported the principles identified under What works to overcome Indigenousdisadvantage (Closing the Gap Clearinghouse 2011, p. 2).Final recommendations from cycles of PAR research in this project were provided to Wurla Nyinta duringmonthly meetings. A summary about how the activities link to RSD LIP management are in section 5.1.16 Final Report: Strengthening Community Research in Remote Service Delivery at Ntaria