What is facilitation?

Facilitation is helping people achieve objectives by designing and managing the process.

Facilitation is guided by intended outcomes or goals: a facilitator helps not by contributing ideas and proposals, but by shaping the way in which the group is addressing its task.

This involves intervening directly in the process in “real time” i.e. while it is happening, although there can be a valid role of observing a group and later giving feedback.

How does facilitation differ from training?

It is primarily a matter of purposes. Generally, facilitation is directed at accomplishing some team or organisational goal while training is concerned with individuals learning something.

Experience

We have worked with:

• Senior Management Teams on vision, strategy, organisation design, corporate values, and on improving team effectiveness.
• Working groups on process and job design, and quality improvement.
• Project teams in relation to project initiation and post-project review.
• The Council of a professional institute developing a strategic plan.
• Whole teams and all the members of small organisations on team development.
• Trade Association member committees on strategic issues.
• Inter-organisational and inter-departmental meetings to improve relationships and promote working together.

Key things we have learned

• There is no need to be expert in the subject matter, but it helps to talk to people beforehand to gain some familiarity with the issues and terminology.
• If working on team issues, talk to all members of the team before attempting to facilitate.
• It is vital to have a clear agreement with the client about the intended outcomes and about how to work together.
• Be flexible, but go into the room with a process designed to achieve the outcomes which has been agreed with the client.
• Focus on managing the process and interaction. 'Hold the ring' so that whatever needs to be said can be said. Restate and summarise so that everyone is clear.
• Only intervene when you need to and be clear about your intention when you do so.
• Be prepared to confront anything which is getting in the way.

Principles of workshop design

We identify four key principles:

• The programme needs to have a sense of progression and an overall logic.
• Use a variety of methods and processes, but address the real issues directly.
• The event should be designed with an overall "dynamic" in mind.
• Manage the constraints of time and resources relative to the number of people involved.

or complete an enquiry form and we will contact you to discuss how we can help you with facilitation in your organisation.