How to facilitate a workshop
The short answer
Start from the outcomes the workshop must produce and design each activity to get there. Set ground rules, keep energy up with varied formats and breaks, stay neutral while guiding the group, capture outputs as you go and send a follow-up with decisions and owners.
Step by step
- 1
Define the outcomes
What will exist at the end that doesn't now?
- 2
Design the activities
Each activity produces part of the outcome.
- 3
Set ground rules
Phones away, one conversation at a time, all ideas welcome.
- 4
Keep time and energy
Vary formats and take breaks every 60 to 90 minutes.
- 5
Capture outputs
Photograph boards and write decisions as you go.
- 6
Follow up
Send outputs, decisions and owners within a day.
Common mistakes
- Too many outcomes for the time.
- The facilitator pushing their own view.
- No follow-up, so outputs are lost.
Acta records the workshop and writes the decisions and actions, so you can focus on facilitating.
Try Acta free for 15 daysQuestions
What does a workshop facilitator do?
Plans the activities, guides the group, keeps time and stays neutral on the content.
How many people can a workshop have?
Six to twelve works well for one facilitator; larger groups need breakout sessions.