CS480 Computer Science Seminar

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CS480 Computer Science Seminar

• Group Facilitation Skills

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Objectives

• Be able to
• Use effective planning skills for success with
  meetings and discussions
• Use listening skills to help clarify and
  summarize discussions
• Use structured brainstorming as a technique for
  promoting open discussion
• Describe the role of conflict in team meetings
  and discussions

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Goal of Facilitators

• Goals
• Manage/enhance communication rather than block it
• Create a sense of connection
• Develop a sense of worth
• Display a sense of interest and caring

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Roles of Facilitators

• Listener rather than talker
• Problem clarifiers not owner
• Embracer of conflict not avider

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Process Observer Role

• Step back focuses on process vs. Content
• States to group what he/she has seen without
  judging
• Asks group to evaluate effectiveness of their
  process
• Facilitates discussion about what went well and
  what could be improved at end of every meeting

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When are facilitating Skills important

• Promote discussion at meetings
• Presentations
• Resolving conflicts
• Negotiations
• Problem-Solving
• Goal-Setting
• Performance reviews

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Facilitation Is Not

• The facilitator doing most of the talking
• Letting two or three people dominate
  conversations and decision-making
• A surrender of control and responsibility
• Trying to democratically persuade people toward
  your ideas

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Key Facilitating Skills

• Active listening
• Observation
• Asking questions
• Clarifying and verifying
• Summarizing and connecting

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Brainstorming

• Process
• Phase I Silent Idea Generation participants
  individually write down all their ideas
• Phase II Round Robin Recording facilitator
  takes one idea at a time from each participant
  and posts on flipchart until all ideas are
  recorded
• Phase III Clarification participants and
  facilitator review list, facilitator works with
  participants to clarify or combine similar ideas
  or delete repeats

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Brainstorming

• Ground Rules
• Phase I Silent Idea Generation be creative,
  write short, concise phrases using key words only
• Phase II Round robin recording keep pace brisk
  (no stopping to evaluate or clarify), pass if
  you are out of ideas or stuck
• Phase III Clarification ask for clarification
  not defense of an idea

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Effective Discussion Model

• Planning
• Clarify objective
• Develop agenda
• Coordinate logistics
• Conducting
• State intended outcome and keep discussion
  focused
• Clarify ground rules
• Follow-up
• Summarize discussion and review tasks
• Ensure minutes go out and maintain contact