3.2.1 VFT as method
Our implementation of VFT relied on in-person discussions with staff of community
partners and research-only analysis sessions, as well as multiple rounds of
discussion of drafts of objectives hierarchies. Our single in-person discussion with
community partners was divided into two parts comprising about 4 h.We took notes
and taped the sessions. During the initial discussion of organizational goals and
values, we asked a number of probing questions, such as: What do you want to
achieve in real estate development? What are other high-level goals or objectives in
housing and community development, including foreclosed housing? What benefits
do you see to your stakeholders of your housing-related activities apart from those
specifically tied to the presence of housing? What would you think of as ‘success’ in
housing and community development? After a break, the researchers and
community partners re-convened to clarify fundamental objectives and means-ends
objectives. This involved exploring concepts such as: organizational goals; social/
community goals; an over-riding theme versus subsidiary themes; attributes
associated with means/ends goals, and clarifying concepts specific to different
community partners.
After the initial meeting with community partners, we reviewed our in-person
notes, transcribed the audio files and created the first of multiple drafts of objectives
hierarchies. We shared each draft with the executive director of the CDC or with an
analyst tasked with completing the structuring process, and we were especially
sensitive to concerns of clarity, completeness and consistency with organizational
values.