Sample engagement timelines
There is no standard engagement timeline — history, language access needs, staff capacity, Board calendar, and trust all shape it. This table gives you a floor, not a ceiling.
Updated August 28, 2026 at 1:59 PM PDT
Minimum lead times by level
| Level | Min. planning lead | Active engagement | Report-back | Minimum total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inform | 2 weeks | N/A | 1 week | 3 weeks |
| Consult | 4 to 6 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 2 weeks | 8 to 11 weeks |
| Involve | 6 to 8 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 3 weeks | 13 to 17 weeks |
| Collaborate | 10 to 14 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 4 weeks | 20 to 28 weeks |
| Empower | 4 to 6 months | Ongoing | Ongoing | 6+ months |
These are minimum lead times under favorable conditions. Complex projects, hard-to-reach communities, multilingual engagement, and low baseline trust all require more time. Plan accordingly.
What it looks like in practice
A county planning department is redesigning a community park in a neighborhood with a significant Spanish-speaking population and a history of low participation in county processes. Staff spend four weeks in pre-engagement conversations with local CBOs and neighborhood leaders before anything goes public. Three bilingual listening sessions run at different times and locations, with food and childcare provided. A bilingual survey runs concurrently. Input shapes the final design priorities before the project goes to the Board. A bilingual What We Heard summary goes back to participants through the same channels used for outreach within 30 days.