{"id":215379,"date":"2022-08-11T06:00:56","date_gmt":"2022-08-11T10:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/?p=215379"},"modified":"2025-12-11T07:52:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T23:52:38","slug":"community-engagement-valuing-people-over-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/2022\/08\/11\/community-engagement-valuing-people-over-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Engagement: Valuing People Over Process"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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In a\u00a0previous blog<\/a>, we discussed how agile principles, successful in the business world, can be applied to state and local government\u2019s community engagement processes. We presented a list of agile principles applied to how government and residents can navigate the public participation process more efficiently.

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Now, let\u2019s delve deeper into practical ways state and local governments can implement individual agile principles in their community engagement efforts, beginning with the principle of \u201cvaluing people over process.\u201d<\/p>

Valuing People and Interactions Over Processes and Tools\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>

Applying agile methodology to community engagement means prioritizing people and interactions over processes and tools. This approach recognizes that the individuals most likely affected by local decision-making are the primary drivers of change.

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Whether it\u2019s a group of businesses impacted by zoning changes or a community sharing the same zip code, prioritizing people over processes enhances community engagement effectiveness and fosters mutual understanding between government and the community. However, this understanding relies on receiving shared perceptions and experiences from affected stakeholders and the government\u2019s commitment to address opportunities and barriers discovered during the process.\u00a0<\/p>

Practical Ways Local Governments Can Value People Over Process\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>

Effective community engagement thrives when barriers are minimized, and strategies prioritize participant convenience over processes or tools. Prioritizing in this manner helps mitigate unexpected challenges that could disconnect community values from future plans.

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There are numerous ways local governments can prioritize \u201cpeople over process\u201d \u2014 here are a few.<\/p>

Language Accessibility Example<\/b><\/h3>

Consider the process of offering language accessibility to the public. Typically, a consideration of a\u00a0Limited English Proficiency Plan\u00a0<\/a>or other\u00a0language accessibility plan<\/a>, accessing translation and interpretation support may be buried beneath a series of bureaucratic process roadblocks. \u00a0 It is likely no surprise that well-meaning processes can have the unintended consequence of creating barriers for community members. \u00a0 Below we contrast how a typical process compares to alternatives that support a \u201cpeople over process\u201d approach.<\/p>

How the Typical Approach Falls Short of the Agile Approach<\/strong><\/h3>

The following example offers instruction to community members about how to request language interpretation during a public meeting.\u00a0 This fairly typical approach prioritizes internal process efficiency, not the timely needs of the community member.

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The City of Acme contracts only certified interpreters, all interpreter requests for public meetings must be sent\u00a0<\/i>in writing<\/i><\/b>\u00a0to the Equity & Inclusion Office at\u00a0<\/i>langrequest@acme.gov<\/i><\/a>.\u00a0 All requests must be submitted on the Language Request Excel Spread Sheet with the following information:

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Name, home or cell phone number, date of the meeting, and language requested.\u00a0

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Requests should be placed\u00a0<\/i>at least one week in advance<\/i><\/b>\u00a0for Korean, Spanish, and Chinese languages in order to guarantee timely service. For all other languages, the office requires at least\u00a0<\/i>two weeks<\/i><\/b>\u00a0advance notice.\u00a0

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In the above example you will see the following barriers and issues associated with prioritizing process over people:\u00a0<\/p>

Convenient Solutions that Prioritize Process<\/h4>

Establishing a convenient and custom email address that all written requests come to may seem like an easy way for the public to request language support without a lot of hassle.\u00a0 This also serves an internal efficiency and capacity function that provides an easy way to manage and track the processing and timely response of incoming requests.\u00a0\u00a0

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The problem?\u00a0 The assumption that email is a practical and\/or available option for everyone creates inherent limitations to the public.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Requirements that Prioritize Process<\/h4>

Requiring written submissions within standardized formats (forms\/sheets) supports process and internal efficiency by addressing two needs; (1) offering a method for the public to request support and (2) naturally creates internal efficiencies by doubling as a tracker\/reporting tool with very little effort outside of set up.\u00a0\u00a0

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The problem? Shifting the workload burden to the public through requirements creates yet another set of barriers for the person to contend with.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

People Over Process Approach<\/b><\/h2>

When it comes to\u00a0language accessibility<\/a>,\u00a0PublicInput offers a variety of community engagement solutions that support the value of people over process approach.\u00a0\u00a0

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PublicInput provides\u00a0multilingual closed captioning<\/a>\u00a0for public meetings \u2013the only solution of its kind on the market\u2013 that\u00a0eliminates the need for a language request process entirely<\/b>.\u00a0 This means, no more:\u00a0<\/p>