Here is a list of popular tools and techniques for facilitating sessions:
- Liberating Structures: A set of facilitation techniques to involve and engage all participants in problem-solving and decision-making processes. These techniques break down hierarchical structures and encourage participation and collaboration.
- Appreciative Inquiry: A facilitation technique that focuses on discovering and amplifying what works well within an organization, team, or community. It is designed to foster positive change by identifying and building upon existing strengths.
- World Cafe: A facilitation technique that involves small group discussions around a central question or topic, with participants rotating between tables to share ideas and perspectives. It is designed to encourage dialogue and collective learning.
- S.W.O.T. Analysis: A facilitation technique that helps groups identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It is designed to provide a structured approach to strategic planning and decision-making.
- S.O.A.R. Analysis: A facilitation technique that identifies an organization’s strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results. It is designed to help organizations build on their current strengths and vision for the future.
- Q-Storming: A facilitation technique that involves brainstorming questions instead of ideas. This technique encourages creative and critical thinking by challenging assumptions and exploring new perspectives.
- Design Thinking: A problem-solving approach that involves empathy, creativity, and experimentation. It is designed to encourage innovation and the development of user-centered solutions.
- Stakeholder Mapping: A facilitation technique that helps organizations identify and analyze their stakeholders. It is designed to help organizations understand the perspectives and needs of their stakeholders and build effective engagement strategies.
- DISC: A personality assessment tool that categorizes individuals into four personality types: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. It is designed to help individuals and teams better understand their communication styles and preferences.
- Myers Briggs: A personality assessment tool that categorizes individuals into 16 personality types based on their preferences for extraversion/introversion, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving. It is designed to help individuals and teams better understand their strengths and communication styles.
- STEEP Analysis: A facilitation technique that analyzes the Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political factors that can impact an organization or project. It is designed to help organizations identify potential risks and opportunities in their external environment.
- Graphic Facilitation: A facilitation technique using visual aids such as charts, diagrams, and sketches to enhance group discussions and decision-making processes. It is designed to promote engagement, understanding, and retention of information.
