How can you engage stakeholders in a GIS project?

2 Plan your communication

The next step is to plan how you will communicate with your stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. You should define the purpose, frequency, format, and channel of your communication, as well as the key messages and outcomes you want to convey. You should also use a communication plan template to document and track your communication activities and feedback. Some examples of communication methods for a GIS project are: meetings, presentations, workshops, surveys, newsletters, webinars, or online platforms.

4 Solicit feedback

Another important aspect of stakeholder engagement is soliciting feedback from your stakeholders on your data, analysis, and deliverables. Feedback can help you improve the quality, accuracy, and usability of your GIS project, as well as identify any gaps, errors, or issues. You should solicit feedback at various stages of your project, such as: data collection, data processing, data analysis, data visualization, or report writing. You should also use different feedback tools and techniques, such as: surveys, interviews, focus groups, or online forums.

5 Address concerns

Sometimes, you may encounter stakeholder concerns or objections to your GIS project, such as: data privacy, data ownership, data quality, data interpretation, or data implications. These concerns may stem from a lack of trust, understanding, or agreement on your project. You should address these concerns proactively and respectfully, by: listening to their perspectives, acknowledging their emotions, providing factual information, explaining your rationale, or offering alternatives. You should also document and follow up on any actions or resolutions you agree on.

6 Deliver value

The final step is to deliver value to your stakeholders through your GIS project. Value can be defined as the benefits or outcomes that your project provides to your stakeholders, such as: solving a problem, meeting a need, enhancing a service, or informing a decision. You should communicate and demonstrate the value of your project clearly and convincingly, by: highlighting the key findings and recommendations, showcasing the impact and results, or providing testimonials and case studies. You should also thank your stakeholders for their involvement and support, and ask for their feedback and suggestions for future improvements.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?