Facilitation
Facilitation is a
method of helping individuals to become co-creators of their
organisation’s future and to develop clear, concrete actions.
The Foundation has
wide-ranging experience in working with clients to identify core
issues which require exploration, prioritising these issues and
translating them into appropriate facilitation methodology.
Qualitative research can be incorporated into a larger research
brief or can be provided as a stand-alone service.
Facilitation can be used to:
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generate,
analyse and evaluate ideas and issues
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conduct group
consultations inside or outside an organisation
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assist an
organisation to establish its future direction - its mission and
goals
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aid in dispute
resolution
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guide the
development of strategic action plans
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guide the
evaluation and implementation of policy
Our Facilitators:
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are independent
and highly experienced
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focus the energy
of the group on a common task
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suggest
alternative methods and procedures
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encourage
participation from all members of the group
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assist the group
to find win-win solutions
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co-ordinate pre
and post meeting logistics
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are able to
guide decision-making to ensure that outcomes are:
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broadly accepted
and understood
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focussed and
productive
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achievable and
action orientated
Foundation staff are
equipped to use a variety of facilitation techniques which enable
the identification, exploration and/or prioritisation of key issues.
Particular tools used by the Foundation include Open Space, Photo
Language and OptionFinder©.
Our qualitative research methods:
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Focus Groups
This technique provides for organised group discussions
focussed around a single theme. A typical focus group program
consists of a series of focus groups, each containing eight to
ten people. The facilitator introduces the topic and follows a
predetermined questioning route. The group discusses the
questions and shares insights and ideas. The responses from each
session are compared and attention is given to identifying
patterns of responses among groups.
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Nominal Group
Process
This popular process is a method of structuring small group
work. It can be used to identify problems, explore solutions and
establish priorities. It allows individual judgements to be
pooled effectively in situations where uncertainty or
disagreement exists about the nature of a problem. The nominal
group process involves four tasks: generate ideas independently,
list ideas in a round robin fashion, clarify ideas through
discussion, and vote on priorities.
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Confidential
voting using OptionFinder©
OptionFinder© is a computer based research
tool used to enhance decision-making. Each group participant has
a personalised score pad linked to a central computer.
Confidential responses to a series of predetermined questions
are automatically analysed and presented to the group for
discussion and resolution.
Examples of past projects include:
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International
Students Division, University of Newcastle - two day workshop
with internal and external stakeholders
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Series of focus
groups about Internet usage and access with business and
community organisations
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Hastings Council
– two day strategic planning workshop with councillors and
senior staff (follow-on from a larger community consultation
project)
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Great Lakes
Council – strategic planning workshop with councillors and
senior staff
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Newcastle City
Council – workshop with council staff to identify issues for
inclusion in their Social Plan Community Survey
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Workshop for a
community based environmental project exploring experiences and
needs of participants
Do you want more
information about
our facilitation services?
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