How to Engage People

Public engagement is an integral component of every stage of project development – from long-range planning to post-construction activities. Public involvement (PI) processes and approaches are varied and complex depending on the project or program. Often, public involvement occurs across a continuum ranging from providing information about projects or programs to collaborating with participants in the decision–making to empowering participants to vote on the outcome.

There are specific tools and techniques that are appropriate to the level of public involvement necessary to achieve specific goals and objectives of the project, program, or policy.  Additionally, new tools and techniques are developed every day. The advent of technology has enable the public to participate in many ways not even imaginable. No matter the strategy you choose, meaningful public engagement can ensure transparency, foster agency credibility and improve public trust.