Aims of the activity and description of target group
Each project is prone to interests and expectations by the team and external parties. This activity sensitizes the participants to possible interests and expectations that need to be considered and managed within the project. The activity is suitable for researchers and citizens in a group or individual learning setting. Session #1 and #2 should be done before.
Resources, Materials needed
- Paper, pen, color pencils, sticky notes
- Results from Part 1, Activity 3, "Analyze the network"
- Results from Part 2, Activity 3 “Map your audience”
Duration
60 minutes
Step 1 – Identify stakeholders (15 minutes)
A stakeholder is an individual, group or organization that has an interest or concern in your project. Stakeholders can include: Researchers, citizens, members of organizations, public administration, investors and communities affected by the project, or the funders of your project. Take your results from Part 1, Activity 3 and Part 2, Activity 1. Some stakeholders may already be included in these analyses.
Create one sticky note for each stakeholder. Think of organizations, volunteers, the team, everyone who will use your results, but also who is funding your project or organization.
Sort the notes into two or more rows according to the level of interest or influence of the stakeholder.
Step 2 – Identify interests and expectations (20 minutes)
For each stakeholder write down the interests and expectations on another sticky note and attach them to the stakeholder note.
Step 3 – Identify critical interests and expectations (10 minutes)
Highlight interests and expectations that are either crucial for the project (mark with a circle) or targets that you might not be able to achieve (mark with a filled circle).
Summarize your findings on a sheet of paper: On one side, write the interests you need to focus on, and on the other side, write the interests you need to carefully monitor and keep your stakeholders updated on.
Step 4 – Measures to meet interests and expectations (15 minutes)
Take another piece of paper and think about actions that can help fulfill the key interests and expectations:
- What can you do to fulfill an expectation?
- What tools can you use?
- What processes could help?
- Who can help you?
- ...
Use this list for the further planning of your project and always have these core elements in mind.
Learning Outcomes - which skills are addressed?
Participants learn to take on the perspective of the project stakeholders and identify crucial aspects of the project. They also learn to exclude expectations or communicate that this is not part of the project.
How do you check the outcomes are reached?
The participants have a list of interest groups and their interests and expectations. The participants are aware of the most important interests and expectations. They have made initial considerations as to how these can be achieved. They are also aware of what could be expected from the interest groups but cannot be achieved by the project.
De-Briefing questions
- Who are the most important stakeholders in your project?
- What are their most important interests and expectations?
- Which interests and expectations cannot be fulfilled by the project?
- What can you do to fulfill the main interests and expectations?
Further links and readings
- Irving, D. (2022): Citizen Science Helps Communities Participate in, Understand, and Trust Science. https://www.rand.org/pubs/articles/2022/citizen-science-helps-communities-participate-in-science.html (last viewed 03/06/2024)
- Lockhart, L. (2024): How to create a stakeholder management plan: 11 steps and strategies for project success. https://www.float.com/resources/stakeholder-management/ (last viewed 03/06/2024)
- Shirk, L. et al. (2012): Public Participation in Scientific Research: A Framework for Deliberate Design. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231582171_Public_Participation_in_Scientific_Research_A_Framework_for_Deliberate_Design (last viewed 03/05/2024)
- Tzilivakis, K. (2022): Measuring costs and benefits of citizen science. https://phys.org/news/2022-04-benefits-citizen-science.html (last viewed 03/06/2024)