Page 184 - The Design Thinking Playbook

HOW MIGHT WE...
support the facilitation process?

The nine principles of facilitation

Facilitators use different methods and approaches, which are based 5. Focus on interests, not on positions
on nine principles. These rules are seen as the golden thread for the Interests have something to do with our needs and desires. Thus we refer to the relationship we have with
facilitator: a given situation, while positions must be seen as adamant opinions about a situation. Effective groups
convey their interests in order to develop common interests.
1. Assumptions and conclusions
We continually make assumptions, use attributes, draw conclusions, 6. Combination of advocacy and inclusion
or are subject to well-known prejudices. That is not the problem. In groups, contributions to the discussion often turn into a series of monologues, instead of ending in a true
What makes things difficult is we’re not aware of it or believe our exchange. To advocate something while creating a reference to the other contributions allows for effective
assumptions are the truth. In effective groups, these assumptions are and common learning and understanding the issue on the next higher level.
reviewed and tested again and again.
7. Finding a design for the next steps and testing the differences
2. Sharing of relevant information Groups decide by themselves which core themes should be discussed, when and how this will be done,
This concerns not only data and information directly related to the and in which way different perspectives can be put next to one another without hindering the cognitive
question, but also all information that could influence a process. process.

3. Use of specific examples 8. Discussion of topics that can’t be discussed
In many projects, information and data crop up in a nonspecific Groups always have core themes that bedevil them and that they are apparently unable to discuss because
manner, excluding information such as background, author of the they fear losing effectiveness. Groups can be empowered to confront even topics that seem completely
information, location of the action, and much more. impossible.

4. Explanation of the intention and the conclusions 9. Support of decision-making processes on the basis of an adequate commitment level
Our intentions indicate the purpose we pursue. When we explain We know different routes and types of decision-making processes (e.g., delegation, consensus, democracy,
intent and conclusions, we share our insights with the group on how consultation, advisory process). The degree of acceptance ranges from resistance to noncompliance to
we got to a certain piece of information and how we drew our conclu- compliance all the way to internal commitment.
sions. This way, groups become more open to different perspectives.
Facilitation can be useful for all types of transformation and change and all questions entailed in them
in companies and organizations—from the development of a corporate culture all the way to strategy
definition.
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