16 process tools for effective facilitation

Meeting Facilitation

16 Process Tools for Effective

Source: Bens, Ingrid (2005) Facilitating With Ease, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco

A participative approach to goal

setting – Every voice must be heard

1

2

Uncover potential issues and conflicts with a series of

straightforward yes or no questions

3

Accumulate potential ideas with a group – Remember at this stage there are no bad

ideas

4

Ensure all sides get a fair and equal

hearing – Reduce tension in conflict

5

Rank ideas quickly in a group setting based on priority

6

The gap between ‘where we are’ and ‘where we need to be’ is often a good way into ‘what we need to do’

7

An effective way to scrutinise and

evaluate the pros and cons of a

situation

8

Unpick the underlying cause of a problem

9

Bring order to a seemingly random or complex debate with

a matrix that organises ideas based on how likely they are to

be effective

10

Better to be prepared for setbacks than be surprised

by them

11

Explore lots of issues in a short space of time

12

Collect anonymous feedback from participants

13

Identify clear action steps with more thorough questions

14

Turn all of your bright ideas into structured plan for action

15

Focus equally on giving and receiving to ease any conflict

among participants

16

A step by step approach combining any number of the process tools mentioned above

www.activepresence.com/meeting-facilitation-skillsDownload the Expert Guide for facilitators: