What works?
- Archived: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 07:34:00 -0400 (EDT)
- Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 02:06:20 -0400 (EDT)
- From: Greg Bourne <g.bourne@mindspring.com>
- Subject: What works?
- X-topic: Collaboration
Good morning. I have been working in the areas of public involvement and collaborative problem solving, with a particular focus on environmental and policy issues, for more than 20 years. I am currently the director a non-profit organization, The Center for Civic Participation and Renewal, and mediate multi-stakeholder policy negotiations.
To enhance the likelihood of success, collaborative processes should begin with a convening assessment. And if there is any inkling of using a third party facilitator, that person should be involved at the earliest stages of the project to conduct the assessment.
A common mistake I have seen is for an agency to hold "preliminary discussions" with one or more stakeholder, only to make some promises or decisions which ultimately plague the process, sometimes for the entire length of a project. Rather, an agency should assess the need for a third party facilitator before any stakeholder meetings take place. If there is even a remote likelihood of a facilitator being involved, that person should be engaged to assist the agency in designing and planning the process, including the assessment phase. Extra attention at this early stage can pay incredible benefits, and greatly enhance chances for success.
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