Engagement

Other services
Strategy, analysis and planning | Sustainability | Human Resources

Organisations interact with a multitude of people. However, people are unique and circumstances change. For a project to succeed it is important to identify everyone who may have an impact. To avoid problems you need to use all available means to maintain contact and engagement. We can help you put in place a framework and structure to help with this process.

The context

People can enhance or hinder the performance and change that an organisation desires or a project requires. Controversial projects may lead to difficulties because those affected feel they have not been consulted with sufficiently. You may lack in-house skills to reach specific audiences, or staff may feel that there is poor communication with management. We help our clients in the following two key areas:

Stakeholder mapping - We will help you identify and assess the impact of individuals or groups of stakeholders on your projects. This is particularly important in complex projects where there is potential for conflicting views.

Stakeholder management - The range of stakeholders involved in a project can be extensive and their management require on-going support. We help clients manage their stakeholders on both a day-to-day basis and at specific critical points in a project

Examples of problems where we can help are:

• a transport or planning organisation(eg local authority, consultancy or operator) is working on a project and needs assistance in engaging with stakeholders and the public
• a company is going through an organisational change programme that will adversely affect staff numbers and/or roles
• specialist events in transport, the environment and planning need public engagement expertise

Outcomes from our work with clients are:

• a culture of teamwork and buy-in to the organisation’s strategy, operations and direction
• public policies reflect the needs and aspirations of the people who are affected by them
• enhanced partnership and networking, and thereby improved results
• disparate groups/communities brought together and working on common interests

Case Study

A government department needed help revamping and updating existing policy on “Active Travel”. They approached us to help with achieving buy-in by their stakeholders and to check that the policy details reflected the views and desires of all involved. They were particularly keen on this engagement in light of a reduction in funding and the competing desire to avoid an adverse effect on service delivery levels and quality. We facilitated internal and external discussions and a process that gathered the views of all parties, which enhanced the policy revamp. This maximised both the uptake of active travel initiatives (walking and cycling) by the public and the level of promotion by partners in the voluntary sector and other government departments.