23 April 2024 

The Vital Role of PMO in Navigating Community Engagement for successful project and program delivery

Last week Wednesday 17th April, Artful Argument event, spearheaded by Elemental Projects, unveiled a rich tapestry of dialogue centred on the pivotal theme of collaborative conversations and tackling challenges head-on. The spotlight shone brightly on community engagement and the complex process of obtaining social license that often presents a challenging barrier to the transition towards renewable projects. A heartfelt thanks goes out to Kestrel Stone for orchestrating such an enlightening opportunity.

Insights from the Frontline: The Social Licensing Challenge

Margaret Harvie from PlanCom graced the event with her profound insights into the world of social licensing. Her experience is currently shaping a training program designed to empower renewal project and construction managers with the skills necessary to engage communities effectively and steer projects to success. She emphasized the challenges of social licensing but also pointed out the positive impact of effective community engagement.

You can get access to her training from here.

PMO as the Catalyst for Strategic Community Engagement

In my capacity as a PMO professional, tasked with the critical mission of facilitating business in achieving its strategic objectives, I pondered deeply on how PMOs could enhance community engagement and stakeholder management. The role of the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) and PMO in this arena is multifaceted, encompassing the facilitation of strategic objective delivery while ensuring the business customers—essentially the community—are the primary beneficiaries. 

Integrating community engagement processes within delivery frameworks or program designs is not merely an option; it's becoming a necessity. PMO services are instrumental in supporting project teams to execute stakeholder management plans by guaranteeing comprehensive manager support in navigating community engagement throughout whole project.

Diverse Perspectives on Community Engagement and Social Licensing

The event discussions encompassed a variety of perspectives, with participants sharing their varied experiences with community engagement processes and methods. While some argued that social licensing transcends beyond renewable projects, affecting infrastructure, urban planning, and construction, others contended that it isn't a significant obstacle in project delivery. However, amidst these debates, one thing was crystal clear: the need for well-defined guidelines and robust community engagement plans to tackle misinformation and bureaucratic inertia.

PMO Services: Steering Stakeholder Management and Community Engagement

The importance of proper stakeholder management cannot be overstated, especially given the concerns over ad hoc responses to community feedback. Herein lies the golden opportunity for PMOs to provide indispensable services that support businesses in executing effective stakeholder management and community engagement strategies. Moreover, the influence of social media on public opinion introduces a risk variable that PMOs must account for in their risk assessment frameworks, ensuring all projects consider the impact of public sentiment.

From Opposition to Opportunity: Real-Life Lessons and Proactive Solutions

Real-life examples highlighted during the event showcased how perceived community impacts could lead to firm opposition. To address this, participants proposed solutions such as establishing an independent impact assessment body and advocating for transparent government decision-making. These initiatives are crucial in balancing community needs with project goals and aligning them with the overarching business strategy.

PMO's Strategic Partnership: Understanding Customers and Communities

Achieving Social License: Leadership, Vision, and Early Engagement is important and complex

The critical elements for securing social license encompassed: refining operational processes, demonstrating effective leadership, establishing a clear vision, initiating early community engagement, and enhancing measurement standards. However, the central point of focus remained the maintenance of a delicate equilibrium between community participation and the advancement of projects, particularly within the confines of regulatory frameworks.

As business models and environmental benchmarks evolve, sustaining this balance between project progression and management, alongside social involvement, represents an ongoing challenge in leadership and facilitation. It is imperative to consistently integrate this consideration into all facets of program or project execution.

Collaborative Pathways to Responsible Infrastructure Development

The ongoing challenges of effective stakeholder relationship management across various industries should be recognised. This recognition fosters collaboration opportunities to drive responsible infrastructure development that aligns with societal progress. This collective effort underscores the significance of PMO's role in guiding and supporting these endeavours.

In conclusion, the Artful Argument event illuminated the complex interplay between community engagement, social licensing, and the successful delivery of renewable projects. As PMOs continue to serve as strategic partners, their involvement in shaping community engagement and stakeholder management will prove to be a cornerstone of sustainable progress and business success. 

Questions to Ponder:

• How can PMOs integrate community engagement more deeply into project delivery frameworks?
• What measures can be taken to mitigate the risks posed by social media on public opinion regarding projects?
• How can PMOs facilitate the establishment of independent bodies for impact assessments to ensure transparency and credibility?
  

Action to Take:

Discover the essential actions for PMOs to drive success: Learn how to position your business delivery team for outstanding achievements by integrating community engagement processes into your strategic initiatives. Download it from here now and transform your approach to business strategy execution.