Navigate Big Sky

Written By Mackenzie Johnson

Visit the Navigate Big Sky website today!

Summary

In late 2019 the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) funded a multi-year effort engaging thousands of community members producing the “Our Big Sky” Community Vision and Strategy. This framework embodies Big Sky’s core values of people, character, recreation, and natural environment.

Building on this community-driven direction, during my time as the Program Director at the Big Sky Community Organization (BSCO), we hosted a summit with over 40 program and activity providers facilitated by the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation (YCCF). The purpose of the summit was to address the community wide programming gaps, needs, and vision in anticipation of the opening of BASE.

These efforts resulted in a common theme: encourage and facilitate citizen engagement and awareness. Navigate Big Sky was designed to serve as a community tool to help foster that connection.

The project is managed by BSRAD with commitment from various Stakeholders involved since inception. After resigning from the BSCO to pursue freelance work, it was a natural transition for me personally to continue working on the collaborative project as a neutral, yet informed facilitator.

Top 3 Challenges

  1. Conceptualization

    The original vision for Navigate Big Sky included expanding its functionality to serve as a Town of Big Sky directory and relocation guide. In a transient resort community like Big Sky, new and seasonal residents often struggle to orient themselves with basic services. This effort began in partnership with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, aiming to provide an accessible, centralized resource. However, creating a tool comprehensive enough to meet the evolving needs of this diverse community proved to be a challenge.

  2. Accountability

    To maintain up-to-date information and share the workload, we established content collaborator agreements with key stakeholders. These agreements encouraged greater engagement from organizations and businesses that were already gathering critical information for their audiences. While this helped distribute responsibilities, managing accountability across various contributors required continuous communication.

    Additionally, the event submission process, which was originally managed within Navigate Big Sky, has now been transitioned to the Locable platform. This shift has streamlined content management, making event approvals more efficient and easier to oversee.

  3. Technological Integrations

    Initially, the platform featured a custom snapshot of the day’s activities at BASE, a popular community center. This required custom code, coordination, and a deep understanding of RecTrac/VSI software. While this feature was helpful, it required significant upkeep. As a result, BASE events have since been moved to the navigation bar and now link directly to their website, simplifying the user experience and reducing the need for ongoing technical adjustments.

Impact

After reconnecting with the Resort Tax team in 2023, it was clear that Navigate Big Sky is still in the early stages of development. The long-term vision remains for it to serve as a comprehensive ‘one-stop-shop’ where residents, seasonal workers, and second homeowners can easily stay informed about local programs, events, and public announcements.

Project Takeaways

  • Balancing Stakeholder Input
    Successful project planning requires finding a balance between gathering input from all stakeholders and respecting everyone’s time. It’s essential to create opportunities for stakeholders to voice their opinions while also narrowing down the core group that will actively drive the project forward.

  • The Complexity of Technological Integrations
    Technological integrations can significantly enhance a platform but also present challenges. The right integrations can make or break the user experience, requiring thoughtful planning and a deep understanding of the tools involved.

  • Simplicity is Key
    In project planning, simple solutions often prove to be the most functional. Streamlining features and focusing on user-friendly design ensures that the platform remains effective and easy to navigate for all users.

Testimonials

“This project is a wonderful demonstration of how Big Sky is truly Better Together.”
— BSRAD Team
Mackenzie Johnson
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