Small Group Facilitation: Improving Process and Performance in Groups and Teams

Key Concepts

•   Starting the session

•   Choice of ground rules

•   Use of appropriate techniques

•   Use of technology/groupware

•   Keeping the group focused

•   Patterns of performance

•   Member task roles

•   Closing the session

Helping groups get the job done is what facilitation is all about. Facilitators need to be focused, organized, and flexible… planning ahead but allowing for changes if a different direction or approach will better accomplish the goal. To do that, ideally you have many ideas and options in your toolbox. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “If you only have a hammer, you are always looking for a nail.” If you are, however, knowledge able about many procedures and techniques, you are able to choose among them and perhaps ...