Successful transport decision-making - Osmose

Vol 1 - Table of Contents
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Engagement tools
Each of the eight tools describes a different approach to
stakeholder engagement, that has its own particular objectives,
either in terms of what it sets out to accomplish or in whom it is
targeted at. In each case, the objective associated with a tool
could be achieved in a number of ways, using one of a series of
related techniques. Each technique is briefly outlined and
compared, under the description of the appropriate tool, but for
more information the reader can refer to the relevant ‘fact sheets’
listed here and provided in volume 2 of the handbook.
Information giving and gathering
T12: Printed
public
information
materials
T13:
Telephone
and
broadcasting
T15:
Surveying
individuals
FS38: A letter
FS39: Posters, notices and signs
FS40: Leaflet and brochure
FS41: Fact sheet
FS42: Newsletter
FS43: Technical report
FS44: Telephone techniques
FS45: Local radio and television shows
T14: Internet FS46: Internet techniques
FS47: Web based forums
FS48: Questionnaire surveys
FS49: Key person interviews
T16:
Information
events
T17:
Engaging
selected
stakeholder
groups
T18:
Engaging
large groups
Interactive engagement
FS50: Exhibition
FS51: Information centre
FS52: Information session and briefing
FS53: Public meeting
FS54: Topical events
Engaging hard to reach groups
T19:
Engaging
‘hard to
reach’
groups
FS55: Community visits and study tours
FS56: Focus group
FS57: Workshop
FS58: Citizen juries
FS59: Technical working party
FS60: Stakeholder conference
FS61: Transport visioning event
FS62: Weekend event
FS63: Planning for Real
FS64: Open space event
FS65: Ethnic minorities
FS66: Impaired people
FS67: Young people and the elderly
FS68: People with low literacy levels
FS69: Apathetic people
Choosing an engagement technique
Selecting the most effective technique of engagement is crucial
to the success of the whole engagement process. Not only can
the use of inappropriate techniques give poor results, but in
some circumstances, it can create unnecessary barriers to the
project as a whole, if it appears that the decision-makers are
being selective in who or how they engage.
Different techniques may be used to engage people in the
process. No one 'correct' technique will suit every issue. Very
rarely are 'pure' models adhered to. Using more than one
technique may increase the likelihood of gaining a more
representative response. An appropriate choice must be made
in each situation.
The technique to be used will be determined by the purpose of
the engagement and who is being engaged. It may also be
determined by the level of expertise and experience the
organisation has in conducting engagement activities and by
the resources available.
The table on the opposite page provides a partial guide to assist
in the selection of an appropriate engagement technique(s). In
this section it lists all the fact sheet (cross referenced to the
relevant tool and fact sheet number) in a series of columns.
The rows then address a series of questions that will assist in
the selection of appropriate methods:
Who am I trying to engage with: a general audience, or a
targeted group of stakeholders?
At which of the six stages am I trying to engage
stakeholders in the transport decision-making process?
Is my transport project a strategy or a scheme?
Am I looking for a one-off form of engagement, or one that
is better suited to an on-going engagement process,
throughout the life of the project?
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