Facilitation (business)

Facilitation in business, organizational development (OD), and in consensus decision-making refers to the process of designing and running a successful meeting.

Facilitation concerns itself with all the tasks needed to run a productive and impartial meeting. Facilitation serves the needs of any group who are meeting with a common purpose, whether it be making a decision, solving a problem, or simply exchanging ideas and information. It does not lead the group, nor does it try to distract or to entertain. A slightly different interpretation focuses more specifically on a group that is engaged in experiential learning. In particular this is associated with active learning and concepts of tutelary authority. This is covered in-depth in the research work of John Heron at the University of Surrey and the International Centre for Co-operative Inquiry.

Aspects of facilitation

The role of the facilitator (see below)

The role of facilitator only emerged as a separate set of skills in the 1980s. It has similarities to the traditional Chair or secretary roles in a meeting but goes beyond them to actively participate and guide the group towards consensus.

Setting ground rules

Often disregarded by those untrained in facilitation, setting ground rules is a key component of the facilitation process especially in meetings convened to discuss difficult problems or for training. These rules are usually reiterated in some form at the outset of a facilitated meeting or workshop to ensure participants understand the various roles being employed and the responsibilities accorded to each. Certain aspects feature highly such as:

• being open to suggestions
• building on what is there, not knocking down ideas
• allowing others space (to speak or express themselves)
• mutual respect
• that the facilitator does not own the topic under discussion and the identity of that owner is clear
• rules of engagement such as time-outs and procedures that will be adopted
• how unresolved issues will be captured and dealt with
• Finally it is key that, during the meeting, it is clear that the owner of the topic is not expected to intervene to impose ideas beyond setting out parameters for consideration or to give insight. The facilitator in this respect owns the process of the meeting.

These are all closely associated with the idea of facilitation as a tool of (workplace) empowerment.

Consulting with the client

A facilitator will work with a client who is someone in an organisation, or diverse group, who is calling them and has invited the facilitator to assist. They will try to understand the purpose and outcome of the meeting by discussing it with the client.

Making arrangements for the meeting

The practical arrangements will be arranged or managed by the facilitator. They will also consider in detail the location and layout of the room. They will research the meeting beforehand to understand why it is being held and that all stakeholders are invited and able to attend.

Setting the agenda

They will understand in detail how each item on the agenda is to be tackled and how long it should take. Using specialist techniques they will allow participants to understand all the issues at stake and all alternative courses of action.

Understanding group norms

They will not make assumptions about the way people interact and will try to adapt to the ways of different cultures and organisations.

Understanding group dynamics

Whilst tackling the practical aspects of a meeting they remain aware of undercurrents, both verbal and non-verbal, which may indicate problems the group is having. The facilitator may try to assist the group in becoming aware of these.

The role of the facilitator

See the facilitator article for details of exactly how a facilitator might run a meeting.

It is important to note that the tasks and responsibilities listed below do not need to be covered by a single facilitator. The role of the facilitator is often shared by multiple people, for instance one person may arrange the logistics before the meeting, another person may keep time and monitor the agenda during the meeting, and a third person may be responsible for recording agreements.

• Prior to a meeting, facilitators:
  • research the meeting
  • find out the purpose and goal (if any) of the meeting
  • establish who needs to attend
  • draw up a draft agenda and design the group processes to attain the necessary results
  • share the agenda with potential attendees, changing it as necessary
  • ensure everyone gets fully briefed for the meeting and that everyone knows the purpose and potential consequences of the meeting

• During the meeting, facilitators:
  • monitor the agenda
  • keep time
  • manage the group process
  • encourage participation from all attendees
  • help participants understand different points of view
  • foster solutions that incorporate diverse points of view
  • manage participant behaviour
  • create a safe environment
  • teach new thinking skills and facilitate structured thinking activities
  • record (with an agreed phraseology) agreements. They may also note unresolved issues for later debate.

• The facilitator may write up and publish the results of the meeting to everyone concerned including those who could not attend.

The form of meeting

A meeting usually means everyone is together in the same room at the same time and this is the major situation in which facilitation is practiced. With the introduction of modern telecommunications the field has grown to embrace other forms of meetings:

Same time same place

The traditional meeting in a room with all parties present at the same time.

Same time different place

The teleconference with either all parties at separate locations or with some in geographically dispersed sub meetings, all with audio / video connection.

Different time same place

A meeting focussing on a particular physical location where people contribute as they pass by. A wall mounted notice board and/or poster display which allows individuals to add comments as they pass is one example . A survey using un-networked computers in a kiosk would also be a "different time same place" meeting.

Different time different place

Meeting via a web link such as discussion groups, forums, blogs, and usenet. Specialist web-enabled group decision support software exists. Wikipedia discussion pages fall into this category.

See also

• Gradients of agreement scale

References

• Bens, I. Facilitating with Ease!, (New & Revised Feb 2005) Jossey-Bass ISBN 0-7879-7729-2
• Hogan, C.F. (2013), "Facilitating Cultural Transitions and Change, a practical approach", Stillwater, USA: 4 Square Books. (Available from Amazon), ISBN 978-1-61766-235-5
• Hogan, C.F. (2007), "Facilitating Multicultural Groups: A Practical Guide", London: Kogan Page, ISBN 0749444924
• Hogan, C.F. (2003), "Practical Facilitation", London: Kogan Page, ISBN 0 7494 3827 4
• Hogan, C.F. (2002), "Understanding Facilitation, London: Kogan Page, ISBN 0 7494 3826 6
• Hogan, C.F. (2012 - reprinted), "Facilitating Empowerment", Stillwater, USA: 4 Square Books. (Available from Amazon), ISBN 0 7494 3297 7
• Hogan, C.F. (1999) "Facilitating Learning", Melbourne, Australia: Eruditions, ISBN 1-86491-005-4
• Kaner, S. with Lind, L., Toldi, C., Fisk, S., and Berger, D. Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, (2007) Jossey-Bass ISBN 978-0-7879-8266-9
• Kayser, T. Mining Group Gold, (3rd Edition 2010) McGraw Hill ISBN 978-0-07-174062-3
• Schuman, S. (Editor). The IAF Handbook of Group Facilitation: Best Practices from the Leading Organization in Facilitation, (2005) Jossey-Bass ISBN 0-7879-7160-X
• Schuman, S. (Editor). Creating a Culture of Collaboration, (2006) Jossey-Bass ISBN 0-7879-8116-8
• Schwarz, R. The Skilled Facilitator, (New & Revised July 2002) Jossey-Bass ISBN 0-7879-4723-7
• Josef W. Seifert: Visualisation - Presentation - Facilitation: Translation of the German Classic Gabal, Offenbach 2012. ISBN 978-3-86936-394-3
• Spencer, L. Winning Through Participation, (1989) Kendall Hunt Pub. Co. ISBN 978-0-8403-6196-7
• Salas, Tillmann, McKee Visualisation in Participatory Programmes, (1999) Southbound, in association with UNICEF Dhaka, ISBN 978-983-9054-45-3
• Wilkinson, M. CLICK: The Virtual Meetings Book, (2013) Leadership Strategies Publishing ISBN 978-0-9722-4585-2
• Wilkinson, M. The Secrets of Facilitation, (2nd Edition 2012) Jossey-Bass ISBN 978-1-1182-0613-3