The reason for you doing a participatory or deliberative process is fundamental. Is it because there is a key trade off you want input on or you’re at an impasse? Is there a topic of significant public interest or a high risk/contentious issue you want public engagement on?
What is most important is that you want to listen and you’re willing to change your mind. The decision you’re taking to the public mustn’t already have been made. Make sure that you have the resources to do the public engagement well — this means people power, money and infrastructure. If you can, build the engagement into your strategic or work plans.
Remember that if you’re rubber stamping something you’ve already decided on, then your process is no more than a PR exercise — and your participants and partners will realise this.