Research & Consultation
Research
What do you already know to be true?
Consider the problems that exist locally and if there any gaps in provision. Be honest and look at this from the facts you can say for certain without having to do any research or consultation.
What are people coming to you with?
As a group, you will get feedback and requests all the time. This can be about existing or new services. Remember there s a different between what people need and want. There is no harm in giving people what they want, it's just difficulty in sustaining it. Are there consistent messages coming from the people you work with or for?
What else is happening in your area?
What are the newspapers reporting? What are people talking about on social media? Are there any Public Health or Police initiatives working locally to support the community with a local issue? What other services exist and are they achieving? Is there scope for duplication of services?
Are there any national trends that you can identify from the information gathered through the NOS? Warrington seems to consistently match national trends and so this can be used as an accurate picture of the situation
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)
Are there any local trends, issues or problems that are flagged by the information raised through the JSNA?
Once you have pulled together some research you can formulate an idea and create a project plan.
You may then wish to run with this plan or you (or a funder/commissioner) may feel you need more proof and will have to do some consultation.
Consultation
Audience
Who is it you are needing to consult? Is it the service user themselves? Supporters? Other agencies / partners? Professionals? All of the above? How big is the sample group?
Time
What is the timeframe you have to work with? Consider the audience and how likely they are to reply and if they are obliged to (there is probably more chance of someone that has a vested interest in the project or will be directly affected by the change replying than a professional who gets lots of this type of request). Is your timeframe realistic for when you want to start the project and/or your funding application submission deadlines?
Method
Knowing who you are talking to and how long you have to gather the information can influence how you ask the questions. Will the respondents be able/willing to write answers to questions or should it be a tick box? Should you talk to them in person? Some methods:
- Surveys in person asked by a staff member/volunteer
- Electronic surveys
- Engagement events
- Round table discussions
- Feedback slips
- Votes/polls on social media
- Interviews / recorded soundbites
Questions
You can have all the right people, enough time and the best method to engage them but without properly worded questions, you won’t get what you want. Some things to think about:
- Don’t ask leading questions, don’t direct people to an answer. You will have to be guided by what people want.
- Is the question clear in its purpose? Can it be misread or misinterpreted?
- Are the questions in plain words that most people will be able to read or understand?
- Do your questions all ask something different? Are the differences obvious? Will you just end up with the same answer for every question?
- Are the answers you are seeking long and complex/detailed? Does the respondent know how much you are expecting from the wording of the question?
- Will you be able to do something with the answers ‘yes’ or ‘no’?
Analysis
Now that you have your answers from a relevant audience who was given enough time to answer clear questions in a way that made them feel comfortable you can take some time to look for trends or patterns that support your idea or may mean you need to adapt it.
Outcomes
Does it align with objectives?
The organisation you are developing the project for will have a mission and objects themselves. Does what you are trying to develop match with those clearly? Is what you are doing an obvious ‘fit’ for the organisation or do you need to justify the new project and explain how it matches with the ideology?
Are the outcomes clear?
Is it obvious from the objectives what it is you want to achieve? Would anyone externally be able to understand what you mean from the statements you have made? Are the outcomes S.M.A.R.T?
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Timely
Is the project realistic?
Are you biting off more than you can chew or are you trying to do too much too soon? Consider the actual difference you can make with the people you work with, and the timeframe and resources you have to make that difference. Remember, you will never be able to change the whole world (just a little bit of it!).
Have you considered the risks?
Do you have a plan B if plan A doesn’t work? Have you thought about all the ways in which you need to protect your team, those that use your service, the organisation and other stakeholders? Is there any potential harm that can be caused by your activities? Is there anyone that has to be excluded and if so, do you have clear reasons as to why and what they can do instead? Is all your training and knowledge up to date?
What is the projected difference?
It feels obvious to say, but there would be no point in having a project if it wasn’t intended to make some sort of difference. Do you have a very clear idea of what the difference is you want to make and are confident that the way you have chosen to make that difference is going to be the most effective? How are you going to measure that difference? Consider either using your research and consultation as your initial benchmark or finding a way to screen/scan/measure your clients to record a starting point and then repeat later in the project to establish any progress.
REMEMBER: don’t get your activities confused with your purpose or outcomes. Outcomes are WHAT you are going to do, not HOW.