1. Choose an experienced facilitator deciding whether or not they are to be internal or external (the nominee could be a member of staff).
2. Identify the workshop objectives making sure that these objectives are measurable.
3. Pay particular attention to participants who genuinely show potential to offer a worthwhile contribution.
4. Look for a venue with space to accommodate a structured flexible workshop, bearing in mind separate rooms for group work.
5. Gather your equipment and make sure the layout of the venue suits your needs.
6. Too many rules prevent free discussion so lay down ground rules but limit them.
7. Have a pre-workshop group activity organised to prepare participants but remember to limit advance information to a minimum to avoid large numbers turning up.
8. Design a timetable and test it to see if it works before implementation.
9. Plan an opening day with a good atmosphere to break any ice and eradicate nervousness.
10. Explain yourself, why you’re there and processes that will be involved to ensure comfort for yourself and the participants.
11. Make the workshop an enjoyable experience. Implement fun.
Do’s & Don’ts:
Do:
Create an informal atmosphere.
Focus on getting the group to work collectively.
Adopt tasks and activities that are meaningful to the participants.
Allow and encourage participants to solve their own problems.
Get the group to own their findings and recommendations.
Finish with a summary of what has been agreed or achieved.
Allocate responsibilities and arrange for a follow-up.
Don’t:
Don’t allow things to become too relaxed.
Don’t worry about an individual’s non-participation at the expense of the groups overall success.
Don’t spoon feed participants.
Don’t seek to dominate or impress the group with your knowledge.
Don’t spend too much time lecturing or presenting.
Don’t indulge too many red-herrings introduced by participants.
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