Most PMs and BAs know basic facilitation skills. They know how to plan a meeting, move participants through an agenda, document decisions and manage a “parking lot” of open issues.
These basic facilitation skills are important, but they often leave PMs and BAs in the role of note-taker or scribe. Strategic facilitation skills help you move beyond the “parking lot” to be a leader and a change agent in your organization.
Strategic facilitators maximize the value of every project meeting by:
- communicating visually to limit stakeholder multitasking
- utilizing techniques that gather information from all stakeholders–even the quiet ones
- using models and diagrams to help stakeholders see gaps, risks and issues clearly
Strategic facilitation skills inspire innovation and creativity by:
- using face-to-face and virtual collaboration tools
- engaging the brain with physical movement
- removing rules and boundaries
Strategic facilitators demonstrate leadership by:
- watching body language and understanding how it might impact their project
- tailoring meeting materials and presentations to meet the needs of their audience
- using facilitation techniques to bring stakeholders together