Pre-wiring is the practice of sharing a recommendation draft privately before the formal decision meeting with stakeholders who must pay for the proposal, deliver it, or have the authority to block it. Presenting unvetted figures or operational plans in the meeting risks defensive resistance—such as finance protecting a budget because they have not had time to verify calculations. Pre-wiring prevents these surprises by allowing sponsors to gather early feedback, modify the proposal accordingly, and inform stakeholders of the adjustments prior to the official review.

Pre-Wiring

Surfacing objections is a stakeholder inquiry technique used during pre-wiring where the presenter directly asks partners, "What would make you say no?" This specific question prompts stakeholders to articulate hidden reservations, policy constraints, or operational blockers in advance, enabling the author to address concerns and revise the draft before the final decision meeting.

Surfacing Objections

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