The definition of ‘facilitation’ the International Association of Facilitators uses comes from The Skilled Facilitator by Roger Schwarz:

“Group facilitation is a process in which a person whose selection is acceptable to all the members of the group, who is substantively neutral, and who has no substantive decision–making authority diagnoses and intervenes to help a group improve how it identifies and solves problems and makes decisions, to increase the group’s effectiveness.”

Why Do Groups Need Facilitators?

All types of groups use facilitators for all kinds of meetings and needs. In some cases, an internal facilitator can effectively lead a group discussion to fruitful outcomes. It usually just takes a few facilitation techniques, a well-thought-out agenda inclusive of a clear plan, purpose and outcomes, and having the right people at the meeting. In other cases, an outside facilitator may be needed.

Ten Popular Examples of Facilitated Meetings

1. Action Planning
2. Business Planning
3. Corporate/Staff Retreats
4. Focus Groups/Stakeholder Feedback
5. Needs Assessment
6. Occupational Analysis
7. Organizational/Process Improvements
8. Problem Solving
9. Strategic Planning
10. Team Building