2. Methodology

During the Phase 2 activities members of the Project Team have been active in communicating and consulting with key stakeholders including representatives from the City of Ballarat, cBallarat, Regional Development Victoria, University of Ballarat and Ballarat ICT Cluster Steering Committee. Information is also being communicated through the web-based cluster management and communication system accessible at www.ballaratict.com.

Members of the Ballarat ICT Cluster Steering Committee and all ICT firms that participated in the Phase 1 ICT organisation survey were invited to participate in one of two ICT Cluster Workshops which were held on 22 November 2005 at the University of Ballarat SMB Campus in Lydiard Street South, Ballarat. The workshops were designed to provide local ICT firms with the opportunity to have their say about future directions and activities for Ballarat's ICT industry. Activities were also designed to assist the researchers in formulating plans for the future. Comprehensive information on the workshop activities, participants and outcomes is presented in Section 3 and in the report appendices.

The role of cluster governance can encompass a number of different tasks, depending on the scope, structure and resources available to the cluster governance body. A variety of governance models are in existence across industries and across the globe, most of which are unique to their region, nature of the industry and local or regional circumstances. Secondary data sources were reviewed as an important stage in gathering information on various approaches for the consideration of key stakeholders in the Ballarat ICT Cluster. This information is presented in Section 5 of this report.