Engagement Flashcards
design charrette
Intensive collaborative effort that brings together citizens, stakeholders, and staff to develop a detailed design plan for a specific area. A charrette may be held over one or more days. This is an effective technique for quickly developing consensus. The Charrette Institute provides a number of examples of how charrettes can be effectively structured.
How does a charrette work?
Typically, small groups are formed, with each group focusing on a design solution for an area. Each group has a facilitator who is usually a design professional. In many cases, the local chapter of the American Institute for Architects may be engaged to have members serve as facilitators.
Delphi Method
Structured process of public participation with the intent of coming to a consensus decision. The method was created in 1944 for the U.S. Army Air Force. A panel of selected, informed citizens and stakeholders are asked to complete a series of questionnaires. The questions are typically written as hypotheses. After each round of questioning, feedback on the responses is presented to the group anonymously. Participants are encouraged to revise their answers based on the replies heard. Over time, the range of answers decreases and the group converges towards a single solution.
Nominal Group Technique
group process involving problem identification, solution generation, and decision making that can be used for groups of any size that want to come to a decision by vote. This allows for everyone’s opinions to be considered by starting with every group member sharing their ideas briefly. Someone is creating a list of ideas. Duplicate solutions are deleted. Participants then rank the solutions. The rankings are then discussed. This can lead to further ideas or combinations of ideas. The solution with the highest ranking is selected.
Facilitation
uses a person who does not have a direct stake in the outcome of a meeting to help groups that disagree work together to solve complex problems and come to a consensus. The facilitator is typically a volunteer from the community who is respected by all groups. In some cases, a professional facilitator is hired to assist in running the meeting.
Mediation
is a method in which a neutral third party facilitates discussion in a structured multi-stage process to help parties reach a satisfactory agreement. The mediator assists the parties in identifying and articulating their interests and priorities. The agreement typically specifies measurable, achievable, and realistic solutions. The final agreement is typically in writing. This is a dispute-resolution process that is typically used to help resolve conflict without involving the court system.
Brainstorming
s an informal approach to gathering input in the initial stages of a project, or in trying to determine goals. It usually occurs within a small internal group setting, such as planning staff, agency leads, or commission members.
Principles to build consensus
Design the process to fit the stakeholders’ needs;
Include all appropriate special interest groups;
Identify shared common interests;
Provide all stakeholders with information that is credible;
Use professional facilitators where appropriate;
Validate the results of the consensus-building exercise.
Two types of coalitions
The first type has a lead organization that makes the decisions. The second type has all groups participate equally, with decisions worked out together by group representatives.
Visioning
is a process whereby citizens attend a series of meetings that provide the opportunity for them to offer input on how the community could be in the future. Planners use visioning processes to help citizens develop a conception of the future. Its focus is on what the community wants to be rather than looking at existing conditions.
20-30 years out
What are Arnstein’s 3 levels of citizen participation?
Nonparticipation, tokenism (lip service), citizen power
When are focus groups most appropriate?
If there is a specific issue that needs to be addressed, or when the topic at hand is a bit more sensitive.
Good for discussing plan concepts before a plan is
drafted.
What are the disadvantages of using a mail survey?
They have low response rates, slow
What is the significance of the Oregon Model?
One of the first places in the US to pioneer community based visioning.
Thinking through what people really want and making it really explicit.
What are the two main types of E-government?
Tools for Information
Tools for Interaction
