In January, we outlined how practice in facilitation can help us become better. Now we look at preparation for events. What are the tools and questions you need to be asking in order to be better prepared? Here are the five categories I use in our work.
- The People. Who is coming? Who should be coming? What can you do to get the right people in the room? What can be done in advance to build knowledge and relationship?
- The Outcomes. What are our desired outcomes for the gathering? Are they shared among those attending? How can you communicate these in advance in a way that creates consensus, ownership, and increased commitment as a result?
- The Process. How do we design a process to best serve our outcomes? Who will lead the sessions? What help do you need (subject matter experts, etc.)? How do we make sure we do not go too fast (by far the biggest challenge in this area)?
- The Program. How do we structure our time? What subjects will need more time than others? How do we leave room for flexibility? We need to craft our time so that there also is sufficient "white space" in the program for networking and relationship.
- The Environment. By far the most overlooked category. How do we design our space to encourage more participation? (Note: I have never met a room that I didn't redesign.) What creativity can you use to make it fun?
Of course, some of these questions are answered differently if the group (or some of the group) has met before, or if this is more of an exploration gathering.
What additional questions do you find helpful?
What additional questions do you find helpful?
