The Process Steps
- Step 1 - Initiation
- Step 2 - Research
- Step 3 - Analysis
- Step 4 - Market Shaping Options
- Step 5 - Consultation and Recommendation
- Step 6 - Implementation

Step 5 - Consultation and Recommendation

Recommendations

You will need to develop clear and complete recommendations to submit to the key stakeholders and gain their approval and commitment through an agreed action plan. The more extensive your findings and recommendations are, the more you will need to ensure appropriate contingency is built into your plan for publication.

The following steps are outlined for this process:

• Draw the recommendation together - check for inconsistencies - overlaps - logical errors;
• Consultation within the project team - final discussion with team experts;
• Refine the options - reduce to a manageable number; select the strongest;
• Consult with stakeholders - obtain informal acceptance - ensure no surprises;
• Consolidation of thinking with stakeholders - road show? workshops? targeted one-to-ones? (all used during the Kelly work);
• Create an action plan - getting dates and actions into stakeholders' minds and plans;
• Obtain programme board approval;
• Prepare and deliver final presentation to sponsor; and
• Secure formal approval.

Publishing

Ensure the key stakeholders have an adequate opportunity to comment on 'final' reports before publication. Have an effective publication strategy and plan in place that includes endorsements from the key stakeholders. Publication considerations include:

• Decision on what to publish and when - taking into account the wider political environment;
• Decision on whether to publish data and which data to publish - review the confidentiality issues associated with the data when it was originally gathered, including matters relating to Freedom of Information;
• Review the publication strategy that was included in the communication plan;
• Develop the channels for publication;
• Finalise the publication plan in consultation with corporate public relations, press office and delivery agents;
• Secure programme board approval; and
• Obtain formal sponsor approval.