As tempting as it may be to dive right into actually doing the consultation, it is important to take time to plan. This sets the foundation for your entire consultation. It is where you establish important ideas like objectives, depth of engagement, and availability of resources. From here, you can determine the research methods most suitable for your consultation.
Before anything else, get clear on what you want to achieve with the consultation. Outcomes are specific and measurable statements letting you know when you reached the desired state. Outcome statements describe the changes you expect to see as a result of your actions.
Bring together your research team and decide how you will work together. Or think through how you will work if you are a team of one.
You may choose to explore opportunities to engage additional stakeholders in your consultation. An advisory group or committee can be an effective way to increase awareness and accountability while embedding community ownership.
Build a work plan, timeline, and budget to map out the resources needed for your consultation. See the Action Plan and Budget Template for guidance.
Align your timeline with priorities beyond your consultation. Think about the priorities in the lives of the research team and participants. Consider how these priorities might impact the timing of your consultation. Also think about approval processes within your timeline.
Develop a draft budget based on your work plan and timeline. Then, meet with key colleagues or partners to discuss available resources. You may need to revise your budget based on these discussions.
Time and resources are precious ingredients for your consultation. Monitoring and reporting allows you to make the most of your resources. And while it may sound impersonal and technical, monitoring provides clarity on your progress. It helps ensure your consultation maintains a participant-centred approach.
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