Perhaps the title could easily be changed to ‘what roles CAN’T Facilitation Training help me with’ and then I could finish this article in a single word – none!
I was first introduced to Facilitation Training nearly 10 years ago. At the time, as a management consultant, I had run numerous workshops and considered myself to be reasonably proficient as a facilitator. It was not until I had been introduced to the APMG Facilitation Training courses did I realise how woefully poor I had been.
I soon became an accredited trainer in Facilitation and started running courses with Explosive Learning Solutions. After one of the early courses attended by a leading PRINCE2® trainer their feedback was; “This should be compulsory for all Project Managers.”
Although I wholeheartedly agree with that statement it only represents a fraction of the roles that will benefit from Facilitation Training . It is not easy to get comprehensive agreement on the definition of the role of a facilitator. However, I would summarise it as ‘enabling effective decision-making’. Any person in any role that requires a group of individuals to come to a collaborative decision will benefit from Facilitation Training.
It would be inappropriate to try and list the exact titles and roles that would directly benefit from Facilitation Training. Since I began running Facilitation Training courses with Explosive Learning Solutions there have been some popular roles that have frequently appeared; project managers, management consultants, and other trainers. In addition to these popular roles, we have seen purchasing officers, researchers, contract officers, engineers, and media personnel.
Despite the wide variety of roles that have attended, and the range of knowledge and experience individuals have before they start the course, they have all quickly concluded that they had not been operating as a competent facilitator in the past.
Many of the students have arrived with knowledge of the models, tools, and techniques that are taught on the course. None of them have been surprised to see whiteboards, Post-Its®, and dots, for various functions in the exercises that are run. However, the most significant realisation that all students have is that it is the effective application of these models, tools, and techniques within a process that ensures a successful and enduring outcome. It is the level of thought to the way in which these models, tools and techniques are applied that identifies a good facilitator.
Facilitation is not a new skill. I continually refer to the title of the original book by Tony Mann; Facilitation – an Art, Science, Skill or all three. Facilitation is an evolving skill especially as we face the challenges of working on-line. Explosive Learning Solutions have successfully delivered their first APMG Facilitation course on-line incorporating the use of collaborative software. It might be argued that it is now even more important to have formal facilitation skills as new working practices evolve. If you need a group of people to collaborate and make robust enduring decisions, then they will all benefit from Facilitation Training regardless of their role.
About the Author and Explosive Learning Solutions
Graham Dawson is a Lead Facilitation Trainer with Explosive Learning Solutions. They offer Facilitation Training and Certification, which can increase productivity and help any group achieve the desired outcomes from meetings, events and workshops.
