10 Steps to Successful Facilitation

Step 9

Close the Meeting and Follow Up

Overview

• Plan effective closing activities.

• Debrief the meeting.

• Follow up after the meeting.

The end of a facilitation session is usually what participants remember most, so it is important to make the ending a memorable one. Without proper closure, the outcome and next steps of the meeting can be unclear and potentially sour a meeting, which was, up until that point, effective. Each agenda point should be deliberately closed by checking for group alignment on accomplishments and next steps, and asking the group whether anyone has any additional questions or comments.

Plan Effective Closing Activities

Schedule time in the agenda for a closing activity. The length of time required for this segment ...