Now that you have completed a feedback loop and generated recommendations, you can return to Step 1 to evaluate your context and define a new problem.
Implementing feedback loops regularly can create positive results for your local authority and community:
- Public consultation becomes the norm: Too often, local community members are surprised their local officials are proactively reaching out to them and asking for their input. Regular feedback loops create the expectation from the public that their voice matters and has a key role in local decision-making.
- Local leaders build confidence: Through a feedback loop, local leaders learn about residents’ priorities and can validate their solutions in collaboration with the public. Leadership requires taking responsibility for success and failure, but leaders who can point to a foundation of public input can plan with greater confidence. If things go wrong, leaders can leverage the same public outreach and consultation process to explain and adapt to new obstacles.
- Public trust: If, as a result of the public process, the local authority manages to deliver progress on local priorities, residents will feel heard and valued. Trust can translate into greater public engagement in government processes and electoral support.
- Zooming out: Perhaps a local authority is consistently receiving public feedback about an issue outside of its responsibility or authority to resolve. For example, extractive industries, highways or energy grids have local impacts but may be managed by a national ministry or agency. In this instance, the local authority can work with neighboring local authorities facing similar issues and – with the backing of their residents – lobby the national government for a policy response to address the issue. Local authorities might find associations of municipalities, leagues of cities or similar bodies useful as inter-governmental mechanisms to route their advocacy efforts.
- Moments of crisis: When a crisis hits, you will be able to turn to your skills and experience developed by consistent and regular public outreach. For example, you may be able to leverage the same outreach methods to share information widely and quickly. At the same time, residents will better understand how to get in touch with the local authority. You can rely on the public trust developed over time to combat misinformation about the crisis. You should also be able to identify and leverage nongovernmental community leaders and organizations you have collaborated with in the past to identify pressing needs and amplify your messages.