Summary of Selected Community Involvement Techniques

Planning Analysis:
Summary of Selected Community Involvement Techniques

Technique	Description	How Used	Advantages	Limitations
Delbecq Technique or Nominal Group Process	A small group technique designed to identify needs and goals from citizens and groups. Usually consists of a few simple questions designed to generate resident response to a particular issue. Typically pulls together a cross-section of residents, but randomness is not particularly important. Requires staff of 2-3 per group.	Can be used throughout the decision-making process… …but is most often used at the beginning to identify needs or broad goals. Usually results in a prioritized list of issues or actions. Works best with smaller groups (less than 12)	Format typically requires all persons involved in the meeting to participate. Limited debate encouarges citizens to raise issues without fear of being criticized. Helps focus future research…often is used as a precursor to a broader process or household survey.	Not statistically valid. Only includes a small portion of the public. Typically does not allow in-depth consideration of a topic. It is sometimes difficult to recruit citizen participants.
Focus Groups	A small group technique used to delve, in detail, into issues. Usually involves 6-12 participants. Typically puss together a cross-section of residents, but randomness is not particularly important. Requires staff of 2-3 per group. Documentation of meeting is a key requirement. Sometimes uses exit questionnaires.	Can be used much like the Delbecq Technique… …but is designed to encourage interaction and exchange of ideas among participants. Requires a skilled facilitator who is knowledgeable about the topic and good with people.	Allows citizens to consider an issue in more detail by listening and responding to other citizens in a controlled format. Allows researchers more flexibility in terms of direction and follow-up.	Not statistically valid. Only includes a small portion of the public. Sometimes difficult to recruit citizens. Give and take requires a skilled facilitator.
Community Survey	Can be implemented by mail, phone, or personal interviews. Tradeoffs exist between administration techniques. Usually designed to measure, with some degree of statistical accuracy, how the public feels about various topics. Usually designed to gather more information than can be obtained through meetings.	Can be used throughout a planning process. Is often used at the beginning of a process to identify needs and goals… …but can also be used later in the process to education citizens and give real opportunities to voice opinions on policy alternatives. Most often, a random sample of citizens is used to ensure statistical validity.	Allows mass citizen involvement. Allows planners to infer results to the entire population. Often seen as a politically effective technique.	Many potential methodological problems… …randomness, bias, etc. Can be expensive. May not allow for an in-depth consideration of an issue.
Delphi Technique	Similar to the survey technique… …but results in a series of surveys sent to a group of respondents who may never meet as a group. Often used with groups of experts, but can be designed to work with the public.	Typically involves sending a series of increasingly detailed surveys to a group of respondents who may never meet. Survey questions are based on responses to questions in earlier surveys.	Like focus groups, allows deliberate consideration of issues. However, the Delphi Technique encourages debate over a longer period of time.	Not statistically valid. Usually includes a small portion of the public. Requires relatively long-term commitment by participants.
Direct Mailings	Used to educate, inform, or generate support from citizens.	Typically use newsletter, flyers, and cable TV to explain an issue or ask for citizen involvement.	Relatively easy way to educate and inform residents. Good way to keep public informed about progress.	Cost. Often does not solicit response from citizens. One-way communication.