Management & leadership · Short course
Public Participation and Stakeholders Management
Planning engagement and incorporating stakeholder input into decisions.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Planning engagement and incorporating stakeholder input into decisions.
The programme brings together stakeholder mapping, engagement planning, facilitating dialogue and participation records. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A proposed development attracts support from some residents and concern from groups who feel excluded. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Engagement officers, project managers and community liaison staff.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Map stakeholder interests, influence and barriers to participation.
- Design an engagement plan using more than one communication channel.
- Facilitate a fictional consultation in which participants disagree.
- Prepare a feedback report showing how input was considered.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Stakeholder mapping
This part of the programme examines stakeholder mapping, with attention to interests, influence and representation. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Interests.
- Influence.
- Representation.
- Applied work: map stakeholder interests, influence and barriers to participation.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map stakeholder interests, influence and barriers to participation. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Engagement planning
This part of the programme examines engagement planning, with attention to appropriate channels and accessible participation. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Appropriate channels.
- Accessible participation.
- Applied work: design an engagement plan using more than one communication channel.
Illustrative practical exercise
Design an engagement plan using more than one communication channel. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Facilitating dialogue
This part of the programme examines facilitating dialogue, with attention to listening, feedback and managing disagreement. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Listening.
- Feedback.
- Managing disagreement.
- Applied work: facilitate a fictional consultation in which participants disagree.
Illustrative practical exercise
Facilitate a fictional consultation in which participants disagree. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Participation records
This part of the programme examines participation records, with attention to documenting input and communicating decisions. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Documenting input.
- Communicating decisions.
- Applied work: prepare a feedback report showing how input was considered.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a feedback report showing how input was considered. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A proposed development attracts support from some residents and concern from groups who feel excluded. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.