Practice guides and research
Community engagement practice
Practical guides on community engagement practice for governments and public agencies: engagement strategy and frameworks, planning, the IAP2 spectrum, stakeholder mapping, what-we-heard reporting, closing the loop and responsible AI.
All articles
The Community Engagement Process: A 10-Step Order of Operations
A practical 10-step community engagement process that shows the order of operations behind credible, decision-relevant participation.
The Slow Erosion of Community Trust
Trust erodes when feedback loops stay unclosed. Learn why experienced communities go quiet and how to rebuild credibility over time.
A Promise, Not a Preference
Choose Consult, Involve, or Collaborate as a promise your objectives, constraints, and decision authority can genuinely support.
Stakeholder Mapping: The Foundation of Meaningful Engagement
A practitioner's guide to identifying, analyzing, and committing to the stakeholders who matter most in community engagement projects.
Community Engagement Plan: How to Write One, With Template and Example
What goes in a community engagement plan, how to write one step by step, example objectives, a worked example and a free Word template.
How to Set Clear Objectives for your Community Engagement Plan
Learn how to define engagement goals that align with your project and ensure meaningful participation.
Community Engagement Communication Strategy Guide
Learn how to build a community engagement communication strategy that clarifies audiences, channels, timing, expectations and follow-through.
Community Engagement Timeline: How to Plan One That Works
Learn how to plan a community engagement timeline around decision windows, approvals, analysis and reporting so participation can influence outcomes.
How to Evaluate Community Engagement
A practical guide to evaluating community engagement: what to measure, when to measure it, how to gather evidence, and how to avoid post-rationalised reporting.
Why is Community Engagement Important? Benefits & Impact 2025
Discover why community engagement is essential for better decisions, compliance, trust-building, and successful outcomes. Complete benefits guide for 2025.