A framework to assess the performance of participatory planning tools for strategic delta planning

Participatory planning tools are increasingly applied in strategic delta planning processes. Additional to its design criteria, such tools commonly promote a variety of aspects including (1) facilitation of communication, (2) knowledge sharing, (3) social learning, (4) decreasing differences in power, (5) integration between sectors, and (6) supporting agreements. Yet tools are rarely assessed systematically on these participatory process dimensions. This paper presents a participatory planning tool assessment framework. The paper shows how the framework is tested on its usefulness in a training workshop on participatory planning tools for strategic delta planning. It is concluded that the framework offers potential to assess participatory planning tools beyond a tool's technological design criteria and that it can contribute to advancing our knowledge on the performance of tools in participatory planning activities.