Public Engagement

Question 1

Design Charrette

Answer 1

Intensive collaborative effort typically consisting of breakout groups with facilitator. Good for developing consensus.

Question 2

Delphi Method

Answer 2

Participants answer questionnaires, answers are written as hypotheses that other participants respond to. Participants encouraged to revise their answers and eventually consensus comes from decreasing the range of answers. Developed by Rand Corporation in 1960’s.

Question 3

Public Hearing

Answer 3

Public forum for formal citizen input. Not good for garnering public participation and consensus.

Question 4

Visual Preference Survey

Answer 4

Participants evaluate pictures and rank them. Aggregated scores determine consensus.

Question 5

Brainstorming

Answer 5

Informal approach to gathering input at the beginning of a process.

Question 6

Coalition Building

Answer 6

Several organizations work together toward a common goal:

1. Lead org makes the decisions
2. Groups participate equally and decisions worked out by group representatives

Question 7

Principles of Consensus

Answer 7

• Design process to fit stakeholder needs
• Include special interest groups
• ID common interests
• Provide credible info
• Use professional facilitators
• Validate results

Question 8

Open Space Technique

Answer 8

People propose topics to discuss and those who are interested choose to participate in that dialogue. The groups prepare summaries of their discussion to share with the entire group.