KANSAS CITY, Missouri — To help combat stakeholder engagement challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic, Burns & McDonnell is providing a wide range of virtual public outreach services across industries. The firm’s Stakeholder Management Solutions (SMS) team is developing and implementing distance engagement services, such as virtual open houses, for a variety of clients and projects.

“Our current reality is redefining traditional project processes, leaving owners to question how to cultivate and sustain relationships with stakeholders and communities,” says Chris Deffenbaugh, a senior public involvement specialist in the SMS department at Burns & McDonnell. “Equipped with a full suite of engagement services, our stakeholder management team can efficiently create and deploy interactive online tools, educational materials and analytical technologies. We are built to help our clients overcome public outreach obstacles in this time of widespread disruption.”

In addition to disseminating data-rich information in a cost-effective manner, SMS virtual engagement events also offer:

• Interactive tool capabilities. Virtual open house tools — such as geographic information system (GIS) mapping — allow project teams to identify low response areas, formulate targeted outreach materials and methodologies, and create heat maps based on geographic patterns.
• Limitless adaptability. The interactive nature of the virtual open house sites provides public stakeholders with the ability to customize data and gives the project team specific insight into user demographics. By overlaying community input and site analytics, SMS develops engagement plans that adapt to a project’s specific needs.
• Enhanced content development. SMS creates multimedia content, such as videos and customizable information tables, providing stakeholders with condensed educational information and the opportunity to hear directly from project team members.

For deeper insights, read a full blog from Chris Deffenbaugh.

To set up an interview with Deffenbaugh and receive more information, please contact Mandy Zellers.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 7,600 engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities with more than 55 offices, globally. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is a 100% employee-owned company and proud to be on Fortune’s 2020 list of 100 Best Companies to Work For. Learn how we are designed to build.