Chapter 5: Process Attributes
Scalar Fit
Scalar Fit
Spatial, institutional, and temporal fit refers to ensuring engagement efforts are consistent with the geographical, organizational, social, and issue-based contexts in which they are being undertaken. Fit with spatial and institutional scale is especially critical for problems like water pollution that operate on ecological scales that cross traditional administrative or political boundaries. In other words, stakeholder engagement processes should be conducted “at a spatial scale that is relevant to the issue, and the jurisdictions of authorities or institutions that can tackle it” (Reed et al. 2018 p. 9). Temporal dimensions are also relevant: water problems can vary from slow and less visible (e.g., PCB plumes in ground water) to acute and highly public spectacles (flooding or high turbidity) (Beamish 2002).
The duration of engagement, including length and frequency, should be matched with the magnitude of the problem topic, the temporal scale of the timeline over which goals need to be realized, and adaptable as the intensity of the situation evolves. It is also important to realize that achieving these goals may differ wildly between communities and may take more resources and time in some communities than anticipated.
In short, scalar fit requires that we pay close attention to the scope, timing, magnitude, authorities, and perceptions of the issue(s) at the heart of our engagement efforts. We discuss each of these in greater detail in Chapters 6 and 7.
Scalar Fit in the Water 4 Ag Project
The range of possibilities and adaptions that emerge can be seen in the variability of the priority issues and strategies that our project’s five sites ultimately developed. In some sites, informing state or regional policies related to water were priorities while other sites explicitly eschewed policy discussion choosing instead to focus on local education, training, data collection, or resource needs at the local level. In each case, the issues that emerged and the implementation strategies they fostered were all formed within the context of sensitivity and responsiveness to locally identified priorities and expectations.
Scalar Expectations in the Water 4 Ag Project
It is also important for us as conveners to be wary of the assumptions we may make about the scalar expectations our participants have. For instance, in one of our sites it was expected that groups coming together over state and county lines would be difficult. Once participants explored the range of causes and consequences of recent flooding, however, this turned out not to be the case as they embraced the idea of working across geographical and political boundaries.
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.