Which public participation method is best at the early stage of a planning project to help identify goals?

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Brainstorming is ideal at the outset because it rapidly generates a wide range of goals and outcomes from diverse participants without judging ideas too early. By deferring evaluation and encouraging everyone to contribute, it captures perspectives from different stakeholders, including those you might not hear in later, more formal settings. A skilled facilitator keeps the session inclusive and productive by rules like no criticism, encouraging many ideas, and building on others’ contributions. This helps surface shared priorities and potential tensions so the project can move forward with a clear, collectively shaped direction. Other methods focus more on collecting opinions on a specific proposal, resolving disputes, or choosing design options, which is why they’re less suited for identifying initial goals.