The Royal Town Planning Institute commissioned Echelon in 2004 to develop and host a knowledge resource which could provide the means of enhancing the capability, efficiency and responsiveness of the profession in meeting the needs of clients and colleagues.

planningmatters.co.uk offers members of the RTPI access to a range of bite size ‘knowledge builders’ and ‘action lists’ designed to improve their performance and continue their professional development. Each document is commissioned from a subject matter expert and is accompanied by an online self-assessment questionnaire developed by Echelon’s learning designers.

Modules downloaded by the user are automatically recorded in their online learning log which can also be used to plan and evidence CPD. The resource is supplemented by a selection of business and management soft skills content taken from Echelon’s learningmatters.com website.

Echelon have partnered with the RTPI through its commercial arm to manage both the publishing and the sales and marketing aspects of the project.

This project brings together many of Echelon’s capabilities. Our ability to source and manage authors, publish and resource content via our own content management system, design and host the website, distribute the content over the web using our bespoke learning management system, and promote usage electronically. In October 2006 over 50 local authorities and planning consultants hold licenses, over 500 members have opened individual accounts, and the site averages over 840 unique visits per day.