Technical Communication on Controversial Projects

In Technical Communication on Controversial Projects, you'll learn ...

• Frameworks for understanding the underlying causes and characteristics of controversy on technically complex projects
• How to engage stakeholders in processes that achieve technically credible and publicly legitimate project outcomes
• Detailed instructions for addressing both two-party negotiation and multi-party facilitation processes
• The constructive (yet challenging to implement) and often underutilized collaborative -based negotiation and facilitation processes

Overview

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Credit: 6 CPD

Length: 87 pages

Expectations for scientists and engineers often include the ability to communicate the technical merits of proposed projects to diverse and sometimes adversarial or untrusting parties. These parties may have a stake in the outcomes and have a measure of influence on the success of the project.

Industrial facility permitting, land management plans, environmental remediation projects that require agency approval and public involvement processes, and highly complex, multi-disciplinary product or process developments are a few examples of the kinds of projects where it is necessary to communicate with diverse parties. Often, these communications and stakeholder engagement processes become mired in confusion and controversy. Special interest groups are becoming increasingly effective at asserting their interests into proposed project development plans.

Many scientists and engineers find it frustrating to communicate the technical merits of a project within these complex social settings. This course provides an understanding of the causes and characteristics of the controversy. Moreover, it introduces alternative strategies and methodologies to the status quo for managing technically complex and socially controversial projects.

This course requires no pre-requisite knowledge; although, the content will be most appreciated by graduates of the “school of hard knocks.” Anyone needing to improve their ability to communicate the merits of technical work to diverse types of clients, stakeholders and audiences would benefit from this course, including: scientists and engineers seeking to work more effectively on multi-stakeholder projects; Managers, regulators, and public communications staff from environmental, public health, and public safety agencies; Executives, project managers, and public relations managers from regulated industries and trade associations; Senior policymakers and communications personnel from advocacy groups and non-governmental organizations; Policymakers such as legislators and legislative staff.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the underlying causes and characteristics of controversy.
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different conceptual frameworks for conducting stakeholder participation.
• Outline practical and proven planning strategies and methodologies for stakeholder participation.
• Anticipate and proactively respond to the spiral of conflict.
• Match the communication strategy to the nature of the project.
• Explain the major principles of effective negotiation.
• Identify the major principles of effective negotiation.
• Assess the need for implementing state-of-the-art processes for managing multiple stakeholders.
• Apply major principles to the design and implementation of managed multi-stakeholder processes.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 30 questions. CPD credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.