Spend the time needed to communicate the level of influence the engagement will have on decision making. Be realistic and transparent, and ensure participants clearly understand the purpose, scope and intended outcomes of the engagement.
A very successful consult engagement will be seen as a failure if it was promised to be at the collaborate level.
In determining what to communicate, consider sharing answers to the following questions with the group with whom you are engaging.
Consider
- What is the objective of the engagement?
- What is the chosen level of engagement (and why, if this is not likely to be clear)?
- What are the anticipated outcomes?
- What is the overall context?
- What is in-scope and what is out-of-scope?
- What are the negotiables and non-negotiables?
- What is the timeline? What will happen after this?
Quick Tips
It is better to be realistic and transparent on the rationale for the chosen level of engagement, than to overpromise and under deliver.
If stakeholders are dissatisfied with the promised level of influence, acknowledge their disappointment, and communicate your rationale.
If appropriate, increase their level of influence more in line with their expectations in future.