Involve
Involving is a process of enabling people to be part of the development of options and potential change. It should be a two-way process, for those involved. It should also mean that everyone involved shares in the delivery of any actions taken.
It is a more direct way for people to influence different options and decisions.
Why Do This?
- To ensure concerns and aspirations are directly reflected in the options and potential change developed
- To be receptive to direct input from people
- To demonstrate how this input has influenced the results of the exercise.
When to Involve?
Participation exercises that are about involving must create an environment for a two-way relationship and dialogue between those leading the exercise and participants.
It is important to start this work as early in the process as possible, maintaining relationships through the exercise. Involvement approaches are particularly helpful when there are many possible outcomes to the process. They provide an opportunity for the exchange of information and the sharing of different perspectives.
Some examples include:
- Understanding the reason people have different perspectives
- Understanding those different perspectives
- Understanding the detailed impact of activity, from the point of view of those impacted by it.
What Methods Can I Use?
Consideration must be given to where potential participants are, and to meet them in this environment.
Some examples of effective involvement methods include:
- Deliberative Workshops
- Focus Groups
- Qualitative Interviews
- Roundtables
- Roadshows
- User Panels
- Conferences
