Facilitation

Facilitation

Groups have the potential to run processes that both support and block productivity and efficiency of work.

Facilitation creates conditions for the group to achieve all the benefits of teamwork and to avoid unconstructive phenomena.

Facilitation is effective when:

  • the goal of the group's work and expected results (work products) are defined
  • it uses the structures and methods of group work that are adequate to the purpose, the specificity of the group and the assumed time
  • it takes into account the persons participating in the meeting and the relationships, emotions and processes occurring among them.

Facilitation is used primarily in situations where: 

  • there is no ready one solution
  • the topic is important for the team / organization
  • the involvement of people will bring benefits both for the development of a solution and for its subsequent implementation
  • members of the group, using their competences and ideas, are able to develop appropriate solutions
  • the diversity of perspectives and competences is beneficial for working with the issue

FOR THE TEAM

Facilitation or a facilitative approach can be used for single meetings or for a series of meetings aimed at achieving specific results. Most often, facilitation is used in meetings during which the team:
  • solves problems
  • makes decisions
  • creates action plans
  • exchange knowledge / learn together
  • creates innovative ideas
  • evaluates projects and draws conclusions
  • diagnoses needs
  • solves conflict situations

Source: Szkoła Facylitatorów Wszechnicy UJ

FOR THE ORGANIZATION

Facilitation - usually in the form of longer processes involving a series of meetings - is used when the organization undergoes changes requiring consultation and involvement of many people. It should be used, among others, for:
  • diagnosing selected elements of the organization's functioning (organizational culture, company values, level of employee satisfaction, employee competences, process effectiveness) and to identify areas of change
  • implementation of organizational changes
  • creating and implementing strategy of organization / function
  • processes optimization