How to Set Clear Objectives for your Community Engagement Plan

Why Engagement Objectives Matter
Clear objectives are the foundation of an effective community engagement plan. Without them, it becomes difficult to measure success, choose the right engagement methods, or demonstrate the value of the process.
Strong objectives help you:
Align internal teams and external stakeholders
Set realistic expectations for participants
Design appropriate activities
Evaluate whether your engagement achieved its intended outcomes
Types of Engagement Objectives
Your engagement objectives should reflect both the purpose of the project and the degree of community influence. One commonly used framework is the IAP2 Spectrum, which defines five levels of engagement:
Inform - Raise awareness about a new planning proposal
Consult - Gather feedback on draft options or plans
Involve - Work with stakeholders to shape recommendations
Collaborate - Partner with the community to co-design solutions
Empower - Support community-led decisions or actions
It’s essential to be clear and honest about the level of influence offered. Overstating this can lead to frustration and loss of trust.
How to Set Effective Engagement Objectives
Follow this four-step process to define clear, actionable objectives:
1. Understand the Scope of the Project
What decisions need to be made?
Which aspects are open to community input?
Are there constraints (e.g. legal, technical, financial) that limit flexibility?
2. Clarify the Purpose of Engagement
Are you aiming to inform, consult, or collaborate?
Are there risks or sensitivities to consider?
What value will engagement add to the project?
3. Identify Expectations
What do internal stakeholders (elected officials, project leads) expect from engagement?
What do community members expect or need?
4. Draft 1–3 Clear Objectives
Keep them focused and measurable. Examples include:
“Raise awareness of the proposed concept plan by reaching 80% of nearby residents.”
“Collect input from local businesses to inform final priorities.”
“Facilitate two co-design workshops with young people to develop the site layout.”
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Vague objectives such as “engage the community” without defining how or why
Objectives that cannot be measured or evaluated
Setting fixed goals too early without understanding stakeholder needs
Using the same objectives for every project regardless of context
How Objectives Shape the Engagement Plan
Your objectives will inform:
The selection of engagement methods
The identification of stakeholders
The design of your timeline
The resourcing required
How you evaluate success
They are not just a starting point — they guide the entire process and shape outcomes.
What’s Next
Once your objectives are defined, the next step is to map out the stakeholders who need to be involved.
Read the next guide: Stakeholder Mapping: A Step-by-Step Guide for Engagement Planners
Or return to the full overview: How to Write a Community Engagement Plan
Ready to Build Your Engagement Plan?
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About CE Canvas Team
The CE Canvas team blends deep experience in community engagement with innovative product design to transform how organisations connect with their stakeholders.