Effective Facilitation Techniques
Effective facilitation techniques can help team members become better connected, build consensus and ensure effective meetings. Here are five techniques to make the most of team building and collaboration:
1. Set Goals – Before each team meeting, set goals that will help team members focus on what needs to be accomplished. Discussing these goals beforehand ensures everyone is on the same page and provides a sense of direction throughout the conversation.
2. Brainstorm Together – Spark creativity by encouraging team members to brainstorm together! This allows all voices in the room to be heard and invites team members to come up with innovative solutions and ideas.
3. Ask Open Questions – Asking open questions encourages deeper conversations among team members as it allows for more open-ended responses. This can help team members understand each other’s perspectives and come up with more informed solutions.
4. Take Breaks – Taking short breaks throughout team meetings can give team members a chance to refocus and recharge before continuing the conversation. It also allows team members to take in what they have discussed so far and think of new ideas before diving back in.
5. Encourage Participation– Facilitating team building conversations should not just be about leading the conversation but also ensuring everyone feels included. Asking team members for their input, encouraging participation, and listening carefully to each team member's point of view are all essential elements in effective facilitation techniques!
By using these five techniques during team meetings, team members can be better connected, build consensus and ensure effective meetings. With these tools in hand, team building and collaboration can be more successful!
Common Agile/Scrum Facilitation Techniques
- Dot voting
- Planning poker
- Fist of five
- Clustering/Affinity mapping
- Bucket (T-shirt) sizing
- Lean coffee
- Ice breaker