Public Consultation Toolkit - Civil Service College

Public Consultation Toolkit 77 78 Public Consultation Toolkit
• Recording – the FGDs should be recorded (taped, transcribed or documented) to ensure
accuracy. These notes can be used for analysis at a later date. Always inform participants if
they are being recorded during the session.
When is it most useful?
• FGDs are most useful when issues need to be explored in-depth, and when there is a need
to understand reasons for attitudes, behaviours or generating new ideas. Agencies are able
to obtain a snapshot of public opinion when time constraints do not allow a full review or
survey.
• FGDs can also be used in conjunction with surveys to identify issues that need to be
quantified, as well as after a survey is conducted to investigate results in greater depth.
Considerations
FGDs may be too small or biased to provide reliable results. Additionally, this method may
involve payment to participants – an appropriate method of payment and amount should be
decided beforehand, and participants should be informed of this.
9. Workshops
A workshop is an informal meeting that includes plenary and
breakout discussion sessions between participants.
A workshop is facilitated by an officer skilled in groupwork,
who can encourage quieter members of the group
to speak up while creating a constructive, problem-solving
atmosphere.
The discussion is focused, but not overly formal, the aim of
which is for everyone to participate comfortably. Workshops
allow individuals to network and exchange ideas and to
develop an action plan recommendations or proposals.
The target audience for this tool is selected individuals with
knowledge and/or experience in the relevant area.
Before conducting workshops, agencies should
determine:
• Topic – agencies need to ensure that the topic is
sufficiently precise and meaningful to participants.
Background information may be sent out to participants
prior to the workshop so that participants are prepared.
• Group sizes – group sizes should be large enough to
encourage lively deliberation, but not so large that most
participants are unable to be involved effectively. The ideal
size would be 15 to 20 participants.
• Venue – ensure the room chosen is of an appropriate size
that will comfortably accommodate the workshop. Ensure
participants with disabilities or special needs have full
access.
• Facilitator – an experienced facilitator will enhance
the quality of the workshop by creating a conducive
environment that encourages discussion, while remaining
neutral. Facilitators must work to keep participants
realistic in the solutions they suggest.
TIPS FOR
EFFECTIVENESS
• Give busy participants
ample notice to allow
them to fit the workshops
into their schedule.
• Ensure that logistical
considerations such as
room availability and food
services are planned well
in advance.