Whether you're running a project directly, or you've got a team of wily consultants running the project for you, there are some real no-no's when it comes to keeping your future users engaged, switched on and happy.

• Don't intimidate your audience: when ever you hold any kind of workshops or meetings, have a mind to number of audience versus project team members. Never ever have more of the project team in the room than the audience themselves. How daunted would you feel in that scenario? If you're looking to get gems of knowledge from the audience, they're less likely to speak up with a panel of judges!
• Don't argue in front of the client: whatever the issue, and whatever the roles of people in the room, don't allow two team members to debate something in the meeting. Make a note of a contentious area and leave it for discussion at some other point. No one wants to think the project team themselves are not sure of what to do and how to do it.
• Don't be too formal: keep things informal - try to aim for friendly and informative when giving out information, holding meetings and so on - people are much more likely to take information in, and get on board with that kind of feel to your project.
• Be realistic: if you're talking to end users, try to see them on their terms - at their place of work. You'll get a feel for the practicalities of their roles, and you'll set them at ease.  If you're organising workshops, don't do long days, in small rooms with no breaks-  all people have short(ish) attention spans.
• Don't overburden:  by knowing your end users and your stakeholders, you should pitch information correctly - making sure that the right person and role gets the right level of information. At the outset, write up a strategy paper, which at a basic levels says who you're interested in, what they're interested in, and what they're going to get over the course of your project.

A short list of some things to remember - it's not rocket science, but often these basics are overlooked by over zealous or just plain stupid project teams!