Chapter 5: Process Attributes
Process Control
Process Control
Process control refers to the degree to which topics, agendas, and rules are allowed to emerge rather than be prescribed by facilitators. It also includes such things as how newcomers are welcomed, space for “unrestrained thinking” is fostered, informal network interaction is encouraged, and how flexible outcome and results expectations are (Schusler et al. 2003; Koontz 2014). The presence of such conditions in participatory processes—given inevitable power imbalances—can help enable legitimacy, a sense of commitment to the process, and social learning. While all engagement initiatives face their own set of circumstances depending on the project’s scope, goals, or funding, the key consideration here is to provide as much agency as possible to those participating in the process. We provide a more detailed description about this in Chapter 3.
Process Control in the Water 4 Ag Project
Consistent with the tenets of community-led engagement, the W4Ag project by design allowed for participants to have almost unlimited control over topics and issues – and subsequently agendas and priorities. A number of our groups initially found this approach somewhat disconcerting or at least unfamiliar, while others reveled in it. In all cases, however, the goal of collaboratively navigating this authority with our participants was a purposeful point of facilitated discussion and continual affirmation.
Tools & worksheets
Process Attributes Worksheet
Helps you identify and plan for the process attributes most appropriate for your engagement initiative.
Additional resources
Stakeholder Engagement Process Attributes
This slide deck addresses the following questions related to stakeholder engagement process attributes: (1) What are they? (2) Where do they come from? and (3) Why are they important?
The World Café: Overview slides by WorkshopBank
“The World Café is a 20 year old workshop activity for engaging your participants in conversations that matter. It draws on 7 design principles to create a simple, effective and flexible format for hosting large group discussions for between 12 to 200 participants.”
A Quick Reference Guide for Hosting World Café
A manual and reference guide produced by the World Café Community Foundation for hosting World Café Conversations.
The Role and Importance of Boundary Spanners – Fact Sheet
Describes the role played by “boundary spanners” – individuals who manage complexity and interdependencies and seek to establish new alliances, collaboratively develop innovative solutions, and encourage the transfer and translation of information – in engagement processes.