Assemblies

Assemblies are very similar to Processes. The practical differences are that phases cannot be defined for assemblies and they do not necessarily have a start or end time. It is possible to define a duration and closing time for assemblies in case they are used only for a certain time or they are no longer needed. However, it is not necessary to define these dates in advance. Assemblies can be described as continuous processes, that can have the exact same components as processes.

Assemblies are well suited for various types of collaboration with organizations, local actors (e.g. neighborhood associations) or other stakeholders who want to take part in decision-making. Assemblies can be used to provide these actors with a common space where they can utilize the participatory activities offered by the platform.

If participation is continuous but it has, for example, a yearly recurring cycle, it should be considered whether a process would be better suited for those participation needs. Using processes can provide some benefits, such as keeping the data within the different years' processes separate from each other. An example of such data could be proposals submitted during different years. Processes are understandable for participants because they have phases and participants can follow the progression through these phases as well as see clearly what is expected to happen during the process. In processes, the allowed participation features can be also automated, i.e. define which features are available during each phase, unlike in assemblies. In assemblies, the component settings have to be edited manually in order to change them afterwards.

An easy way to make a decision whether to use a process or an assembly is to ask whether the process will have phases. Based on the answer the decision can be made as follows:

• Yes, the process has phases - In terms of the system, this is a process
• No, the process does not have phases or a premeditated progression plan - In terms of the system, this is an assembly

The participation features can be added to assemblies similarly as in processes. You can read more about components to add participation features to an assembly.