Navigator’s Kit: Consultation Effectiveness Criteria
Criteria for Effective Community Consultation: A practical guide to what effective consultation looks like.
Access the Consultation Effectiveness Criteria Checklist here
Video Description:
Introduction (30 seconds)
“Welcome. This video introduces a practical framework to help teams assess the effectiveness of community consultation. In many projects, consultation happens, but that doesn’t always mean it’s meaningful. This tool is designed to help you ask deeper questions: Is the process fair? Inclusive? Making a difference? Whether you’re in the middle of a consultation or reflecting afterward, this simple set of criteria supports thoughtful, transparent, and impactful engagement.”
Section 1 – Why Consultation Effectiveness Matters (30 seconds)
“Too often, the focus is on whether consultation occurred, rather than whether it worked. Were diverse voices heard? Was input meaningfully considered? Were people given the chance to influence outcomes? Effective consultation strengthens trust, reduces risk, and creates better decisions. But it doesn’t happen by accident, it takes intention, reflection, and a willingness to adapt. That’s where this tool comes in.”
Section 2 – The Eight Effectiveness Criteria (95 seconds)
“The tool introduces eight criteria that help define what effective consultation looks like:
- Transparency – Is information being shared clearly, honestly, and consistently?
- Responsiveness – Are you listening to feedback and making changes where possible?
- Timeliness – Are you consulting early enough for input to shape decisions, not just confirm them?
- Accessibility – Can people participate in ways that reflect their language, culture, and physical context?
- Inclusivity – Are you reaching and hearing from a diverse range of stakeholders, not just the loudest voices?
- Participation – Are people actively engaged in dialogue, or just receiving information?
- Efficiency – Are time and resources being used effectively for both the team and the community?
- Impact – Is the consultation leading to real changes, or influencing outcomes in meaningful ways?
Each of these areas reflects a dimension of quality. Together, they help you move from consultation as a checkbox to consultation as a tool for real dialogue and shared understanding.”
Section 3 – Using the Tool in Practice (35 seconds)
“This framework can be used at any stage of the consultation cycle:
- During planning, it helps set clear goals and identify potential gaps.
- During implementation, it provides a way to check progress and make real-time adjustments.
- After consultation, it supports reflection and continuous learning, both for your team and with communities.
You can use it internally, in stakeholder meetings, or even as part of formal evaluation or reporting processes. It’s flexible, intuitive, and designed to spark meaningful discussion.”
Section 4 – Practical Application & Flexibility (22 seconds)
“You don’t need to use all eight criteria every time. You might focus on just a few, like transparency and participation, or rotate through them across different phases. What matters most is using the tool to surface what’s working, what’s missing, and where there’s room to grow.”
Closing (20 seconds)
“Effective consultation builds stronger relationships, better decisions, and more sustainable outcomes. This tool gives you a structured yet flexible way to assess quality—and to keep improving. To download the framework or access additional resources, visit the Navigator’s Kit or contact Community Insights Group. Thank you for watching.”
