Such a process will enable the development of those people's own capacities for self-direction and management and will enhance the quality of participation among all of the stakeholders. While there is no set order in which these techniques are used, the five types of techniques are often applied progressively, having a cumulative effect.
Informative techniques help gather information and use it for better decision-making.
At the outset, participants are involved in using their creativity to look at situations in new ways and to build their capacity for self-expression. Then, they gain tools for investigating and analyzing reality in more detail. Finally, they develop skills in gathering information, making decisions, and planning initiatives. Without adequate preparation, facilitators will not feel comfortable experimenting with the different techniques, and may be more inclined to adopt a blueprint approach, that is, always using the same set of techniques in a predetermined way and not being responsive to the differences among communities or the various groups of stakeholders.