Ways to gather stakeholder input

Stakeholder Input Meetings

– Facilitated input from 5-50 people, designed to gather input on a few key topics
– Typically a large number of people are invited and welcome
– We work with clients to develop questions and methodology
– We prepare invitation memos for clients to send to participants
– We analyze results and prepare a brief report of findings

Focus Groups

– A facilitated conversation typically among 5-10 deliberately chosen people, designed to gather input on a few key topics
– Typically confidential
– We work with clients to develop questions and methodology
– We prepare invitation memos for clients to send to participants
– We analyze results and prepare a brief report of findings
– Focus groups typically cover about 4-5 questions and last about 1.5 hours

Phone or In-Person Interviews

– To gather input via conversation with key stakeholders as part of a strategic decision making process
– Anonymity and confidentiality optional
– We work with clients to develop questions, methodology, and script
– We prepare invitation memos for clients to send to interviewees
– We analyze results and prepare a brief report of findings
– Interviews typically cover about 4-5 questions and last about 30 minutes

 Written Surveys

– To gather written input from stakeholders, staff, a community, or any other group, as part of a strategic decision making process
– Typically anonymous and confidential
– Usually conducted online, although we can also conduct surveys on paper
– We work with clients to develop questions and methodology
– We prepare invitation memos for clients to send to participants
– We tabulate and analyze results and prepare a brief report of findings