Collaboration Tools

Working group. The purpose of working groups is to gain formal input and recommendations on a specific area of interest. Working groups are established to allow stakeholders and the public to get involved with the agency in specific areas of interest, such as transportation corridor improvement, regional economic development, and public safety. Working groups often provide guidance in the development of projects, programs, and policies.

Design workshop/charrette. The purpose of design workshops or charrettes is to identify opportunities, challenges, and solutions for a project. They are intensive planning sessions where citizens, planners, engineers, and others collaborate on a vision for development. These sessions provide a forum for ideas and offer the advantage of giving immediate feedback to the designers. 

Field Trip / Community Walk. On a field trip or community walk, groups visit the site and experience the environment together. This experience is useful to develop and discuss new ideas and build consensus on existing conditions. This process can also help create a sense of community by recovering and resensitizing the community environment - becoming aware of and appreciating the built environment. 

Retreat. A retreat is a gathering of a group of stakeholders who serve on a committee or board. Retreats are usually held outside of the normal work environment, where they can focus on strategic problem-solving. They provide an opportunity for the group to step back from day-to-day activities and focus on the issues for a concentrated period of time. 

Task Force. A task force is a group of individuals who are brought together to work on a specific issue or project related to urban planning. They are typically composed of experts in various fields, including urban planning, architecture, engineering, environmental science, and community engagement. Task forces usually complete a single major task and then disband.