Methods Categories

Three levels of techniques are used in the IAF Methods Database; Applications such as Scenario Planning, Methods or Models such as Mind Mapping and Interventions such as rearticulating meeting ground rules. Each of the levels is explained and examples are given.

Application Focus

An application is a facilitated process that is complete in itself. The process produces a complete product, no other process is required except using the results. Examples of this are Scenarios, the critical path method and the ICA's project planning. The following are sub-categories under Applications

• Action planning Action planning is developing a implementable plan that include the basic elements of “who, what, where, when and how.” An example is a 90 Action Plan.

• Basic meeting facilitation Basic Meeting Facilitation includes all the processes of leading or chairing a meeting. An example is a Regular Departmental Meeting
• Basic Workshop Method Basic Workshop Methods are all those ways that facilitators. An example is the diamond of participatory decision making
• Team and Community Building Team and Community Building All of the facilitated activities of community and team building including testing, physical activities and team planning. An example is a Drop in the Forest.
• Conflict resolution Conflict Resolution is the various methods of conflict resolution and mediation. An example is Principles Negotiations.
• Model Building Model Building is using group process to develop a model or image. An example is Training Needs Assessment.
• Organizational development Organizational Development is the facilitated process of improving the operations of an organization. An example is Total Quality Management.
• Product development
• Process development
• Problem solving Problem Solving is the complete process of identifying the problem, creating potential solutions, selecting the best and creating a way of implementing the solutions. An example is the Institute of Cultural Affairs? Problem Solving Unit.
• Process improvement Process improvement is any of the facilitated processes that include business restructuring, redesigning, reengineering, and transitioning. An example is White Space Analysis.
• Project planning Project Planning is a facilitate process that creates an action plan for a project including monitoring and implementation. An example is ICA?s Project Planning.
• Strategic planning Strategic Planning is facilitating the development of a four or more year plan to further existing strategic directions or creating new ones. .An example is Three to One Scenarios.
• System design System Design is developing a new or improving and old system in a group setting. An example is Joint Applications Development
• Environmental Analysis Environmental Analysis looks at the social economic, political, geographical, demographic, etc. that will influence an organization and what effect they will have. An example is the Environmental Scan by the ICA

Method or Model Focus

Methods and Models are standardized process that produce a product but are usually used in conjunction with other Methods and Models to create a final product. Examples of this are brainstorming, paired comparisons, and a gap analysis. The following are sub-categories of Methods or Models.

• Openings Openings are those methods that enable a group to begin a workshop or meeting. An example is creating an Agenda with the Group.

• Ice Breakers and Energizers Ice Breakers and Energizers are those activities that help groups become better acquainted, animated or focused. An example is The Post Card Exercise
• Sharing Information Information Sharing is all of the facilitated processes by which information is shared with the group. An example is An Information Fair.
• Analysis Analysis is a group process where the group develops a deeper understanding of the topic being looked at. An example is Gap Analysis.
• Idea Generating Idea Generating is all of the creativity process through which new ideas are developed. An example is World Caf?.
• Reflection / Dialogue Reflection or Dialogue is the process of thinking about an issue or an idea without necessarily coming to a conclusion. An example is David Bohm?s Dialogue method.
• Combining Ideas Combining Ideas is putting similar ideas into categories. An example is Intuitive Gestalt.
• Selection / Prioritising Processes Selection or Prioritising ideas or items enable the group to apply criteria for determining which item best meets that criteria. An example is Plus, Minus, Interesting (PMI).
• Assignments Assignments is selecting and giving a person or group responsibility for carrying out an action. An example is Timelined actions.
• Evaluation of Work Evaluation of Work is a group process for determining what actions have been done or not. An example is Trouble Shooting.
• Consensus Consensus is the process of reaching an agreement to which all participants are committed. An example is Build Up.
• Closings Closing bring closure to a meeting or session. An example is Content Processing.
• Corporate Writing Corporate Writing methods enable teams and groups to create documents and papers together.
• Thinklet A thinklet is a codified facilitation technique that creates a predictable pattern of collaboration.

Intervention Focus

Interventions are methods or techniques that are usually not planned in the design and development of a group process event but are used when specific situations present themselves. The following are situations where interventions are typically needed.

• Difficult People and/or Situations Difficult People and/or Situations when the behaviour of one or more participants is preventing the purpose of the group process from being achieved. They are also situations that do not lend themselves to achieving group goals.

• Directing Traffic Directing Traffic is when too much information is being presented, too many people want to speak at the same time or several discussions are going on at the same time.
• Creativity Creativity methods are used when a group is failing to produce new ideas.
• Disagreements Disagreements are when two or more members of a group differ and that disagreement is blocking the completion of the group process.
• Conflicts Conflicts are when disagreements escalate into relations damaging dynamics have or about to begin.
• Contexts Contexts are those interventions that clarify what and why something is being done in the group processes.
• Process Interventions Process Interventions are the group is not achieving its goal and a change in the way the group process is being done.
• Avoidance of Making Decisions Avoidance of Making Decisions is when a group is avoiding taking the risk of making a decision.
• Deciding too Quickly Deciding too quickly is when a group is prematurely bring closure to a decision making process.
• Undiscussable Topics Undiscussable Topics is when relevant topics cannot be brought up.
• Running in a Rut Running in a Rut is when the same material is being covered over and over without moving toward a resolution.
• Little Group Participation Little Group Participation is when all of the group or a significant part are not involved the group process.
• Silent Participant Silent Participant is when one participant offers not input to the group.