10 Steps to Successful Facilitation

Step 4

Help the Group Generate Ideas and Make Decisions

Overview

• Use different idea generation tools to get different results.

• Apply the appropriate method to make decisions.

Effective team decision making doesn’t just happen—it’s hard work! A large percentage of a facilitator’s time is spent helping teams make decisions: from generating the ideas for solutions, to debating the pros and cons of each, to agreeing upon the best option. The assumption that groups can figure it out on their own is unrealistic and can set the team up for failure; and yet, teams are frequently unaware of, or unpracticed in the use of, idea-generating and problem-solving methods. Without a process to follow, there is ample opportunity for groups to get sidetracked, ...