FAQ

POPM provides an objective analysis that helps you identify, test and mitigate the factors most likely to incite opposition on your project. Three versions available - POPM quiz, POPM Self-Serve and POPM Deep-Dive - all providing a risk score analysis, with additional features and actionable insights available as you more through the service offerings.

POPM was developed by Yolanda Vos, an experienced professional with extensive expertise in infrastructure project management and community engagement. Yolanda created POPM to provide a practical solution to the challenges of managing community opposition, drawing on years of experience, focused research and consultations with industry professionals.

POPM has been designed to meet the needs of various projects and match the skillsets of practitioners. The POPM Quiz is free of charge and provides an instant overview result of your project's predicted risk of outrage. POPM Self-Serve is designed for straight-forward projects and practitioners with significant experience working in their field (be they stakeholder engagement professionals, risk management experts or project managers/directors). Undertaking the Self-Serve Assessment online does not attract a fee however the results need to be reviewed and analysed before an Assessment Report can be generated. This process attracts a fee commencing at $2950 and increasing dependent on the requirements of the project and the support needed to undertake the assessment. POPM Deep-Dive is the most comprehensive assessment, which is guided by one of our trained staff, either as a Preliminary Desktop Analysis that provides a baseline (inherent) risk level for your project and/or as a Mitigations Analysis with accompanying Preception Strategy for the project. The Preliminary Desktop Analysis fee commences at $10k, and increases based on the complexity and size of the project. The Mitigations Analysis (with Preliminary Desktop Analysis built in) commences at $25k and may inrease based on the complexity and size of the project. Some projects opt to undertake the full Deep-Dive, with baseline and mitigations assessed at the same time or within six months of each other. When this is the case, the cost of the combined Desktop and Mitigation analyses is discounted to commence at $20k. To view a full list of POPM benefits and fees, click here to access our Services and Plans information PDF.

Based on our research, projects impacted by public outrage share a number of similar characteristics, known as contributing risk factors. By comparing your project’s risk factors against these known contributing factors, it’s possible to forecast the probability and intensity of community opposition that may be expected. The process involves a detailed risk scoring process that allows you to test and mitigate these risks in a controlled environment. Decisions can then be made to implement the most effective mitigations and reduce the risk of outrage.

Stakeholder engagement strategies are important for managing community concerns, identifying issues and building important relationships with stakeholders. However, many of the contributing factors present in projects experiencing community opposition stem from project decisions outside the control of stakeholder engagement personnel. In fact, our research indicates that an integrated approach, combining project decisions with robust engagement and communication strategies, is needed to resolve public outrage in approximately 80 per cent of cases.

Risk assessments look at all project risks from a perspective of delivering the project on time and on budget. POPM looks only at those risks/factors likely to ignite community opposition, based on the experiences of other projects. Mitigations can then be agreed to better address these risks or make them more publicly acceptable. Ideally, you have both a risk assessment and a POPM. Quick POPM risk animation.

POPM is innovative online assessment tool that uses predictive modelling to assess the risk of public outrage based on your project’s profile and comparative data from other projects. ​​​It leverages insights gathered from professionals who have collectively worked on over 200 projects, many of which experienced significant public outrage. POPM provides an evidence-based assessment of the likelihood and severity of public opposition, helping project teams to take proactive measures.

POPM can be undertaken anytime during the project lifecycle to gauge the level of risk. The earlier a POPM is done, the sooner contributing factors most likely to generate public outrage can be identified and managed. POPM can be undertaken anytime for a current 'snapshot' of outrage risk and/or at regular intervals to ensure the project’s perception trajectory is on track.

If your project scores medium to high risk, it's recommended to explore POPM Self-Serve or Deep-Dive options for a more comprehensive analysis.

The quiz is most effective for straightforward projects with minimal complexity. For more detailed analysis on larger or complex projects, consider the POPM Self-Serve or Deep-Dive assessments.

While the quiz provides a reliable overview, it simplifies the full POPM process. The results should be used as a general guide rather than a definitive assessment of your project's risk level.

The POPM Quiz is a free, quick assessment tool that helps gauge the likelihood of community opposition to your project. It consists of seven critical questions that deliver an immediate risk score and insights into potential areas of concern.

The quiz is designed for communications and engagement practitioners, risk management professionals, project managers, and others involved in infrastructure projects who want a preliminary assessment of potential outrage risk.

If your project scores high risk, it's advisable to undertake the POPM Deep-Dive for a more in-depth analysis and tailored recommendations.

The assessment can take 1-2 hours to complete, depending on the complexity of your project and the availability of relevant information.

POPM has been designed to meet the needs of various projects and match the skillsets of practitioners. The POPM Quiz is free of charge and provides an instant overview result of your project's predicted risk of outrage. POPM Self-Serve is designed for straight-forward projects and practitioners with significant experience working in their field (be they stakeholder engagement professionals, risk management experts or project managers/directors). Undertaking the Self-Serve Assessment online does not attract a fee however the results need to be reviewed and analysed before an Assessment Report can be generated. This process attracts a fee commencing at $2950 and increasing dependent on the requirements of the project and the support needed to undertake the assessment. POPM Deep-Dive is the most comprehensive assessment, which is guided by one of our trained staff, either as a Preliminary Desktop Analysis that provides a baseline (inherent) risk level for your project and/or as a Mitigations Analysis with accompanying Preception Strategy for the project. The Desktop Analysis fee commences at $10k, and increases based on the complexity and size of the project. The Mitigations Analysis and Perception Strategy fee commences at $25k and may inrease based on the complexity and size of the project. Some projects opt to undertake the full Deep-Dive, with baseline and mitigations assessed at the same time or within six months of each other. When this is the case, the cost of the combined Desktop and Mitigation analyses is discounted to commence at $20k. To view a full list of POPM benefits and fees, click here to access our Services and Plans information PDF.

POPM Self-Serve is a detailed, paid assessment that allows you to independently evaluate the likelihood of community opposition to your project. The results are delivered in a comprehensive report format.

While it can be applied to any project, it is most effective for small to medium-sized projects with some complexities. For more complex projects, the POPM Deep-Dive assessment is recommended.

To get the most accurate results, it's recommended to have detailed project information, including planning documents, financial estimates, and a communications and stakeholder engagement strategy.

This tool is ideal for those with a comprehensive understanding of the project, including communications and engagement practitioners, risk management professionals, and project managers.

This assessment is designed for larger projects or those expecting significant community opposition. It is conducted by a trained facilitator in collaboration with your project team.

The Deep-Dive includes a workshop with your project team, a review of key project documents, and a detailed report with risk scores, identification of critical path risks, and recommendations for risk mitigation.

The POPM assessment is most effective when conducted early in the project lifecycle, but it can also be used at key milestones to track risk trajectories and adjust strategies accordingly.

The POPM Deep-Dive is a comprehensive, facilitated assessment that provides an in-depth analysis of your project's risks, including potential financial impacts and political context.

The Deep-Dive is most beneficial for large or complex projects, particularly those with significant community or political challenges.

POPM has been designed to meet the needs of various projects and match the skillsets of practitioners. The POPM Quiz is free of charge and provides an instant overview result of your project's predicted risk of outrage. POPM Self-Serve is designed for straight-forward projects and practitioners with significant experience working in their field (be they stakeholder engagement professionals, risk management experts or project managers/directors). Undertaking the Self-Serve Assessment online does not attract a fee however the results need to be reviewed and analysed before an Assessment Report can be generated. This process attracts a fee commencing at $2950 and increasing dependent on the requirements of the project and the support needed to undertake the assessment. POPM Deep-Dive is the most comprehensive assessment, which is guided by one of our trained staff, either as a Preliminary Desktop Analysis that provides a baseline (inherent) risk level for your project and/or as a Mitigations Analysis with accompanying Preception Strategy for the project. The Desktop Analysis fee commences at $10k, and increases based on the complexity and size of the project. The Mitigations Analysis and Perception Strategy fee commences at $25k and may inrease based on the complexity and size of the project. Some projects opt to undertake the full Deep-Dive, with baseline and mitigations assessed at the same time or within six months of each other. When this is the case, the cost of the combined Desktop and Mitigation analyses is discounted to commence at $20k. To view a full list of POPM benefits and fees, click here to access our Services and Plans information PDF.

The Deep-Dive delivers a detailed report within two weeks of the workshop, including risk scores, financial impact estimates, and tailored recommendations for mitigating community outrage.