Facilitation

Facilitation is about helping the group get where it needs to go, and recognising the need to manage the group process to do this. Like many creative processes, facilitation is ultimately a performance art rather than an academic subject. One way to think about what you need to do this by considering the questions:

	What has this group come together to do, and how will we agree what goals and outcomes we seek?
	What structure do we need, and how will we manage this?
	How will the group respond to and manage the feelings of its members?
	How will we deal with confrontation?

In a task oriented culture, pressure to focus on outcomes can lead to a belief that how we treat each other is not important. In part, facilitation is a rejection of that simple model - that "task focus" and "people focus" are exclusive, and opposites. Facilitation presents a holistic view: success comes from bringing people and task together. This requires creation of one thing from the many - an effective group. Hence, the last (and most important) question: How will we achieve openness, honesty and trust between ourselves?

The basics aim of facilitation is to help the group to function well - part of "managing the process". This may involve:

	Providing a safe and comfortable environment, where people feel able to participate
	Making sure everyone has a chance to contribute, in particular those less vocal or assertive than others
	Paying attention to group processes and dynamics, and helping the group face up to what it's shying away from - for example, dealing with the "baggage" people can bring to meetings
	Checking and ensuring understanding - for example, by summarising or paraphrasing what's been said.
	Agreeing ground rules, for example to treat each other with respect, and maintain confidences

Facilitation is a practical craft. Good facilitators will have a range of tools and techniques that they will use appropriately. What is appropriate depends entirely on the situation, which will vary as much as people and groups do, and so good facilitation involves being sensitive to what is happening in the group, rather than simply what is being said. As the role is to help the group good facilitators will not try to steer the group towards their own views or beliefs - if they have these, it shouldn't show - but will rather let the group find its own answers.

Of the many guides available on the subject one of my favourites is "The Zen of Groups", which sets out and explores the principles admirably. However, like many other aspects of creativity, there are also some very good step by step "how to" guides available, such as "The Facilitator's Handbook" ISBN 0-8144-7038-6.

Successful Facilitation relies on self awareness and Reflective Practice.... . See also the creative precept, "Involve Others"