Hasso Plattner Institute, NYC
FACILITATOR
TOOLS
TOOLS
FACILITATOR
TOOLS
TOOLS
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING A WORKSHOP
Determine the Design Challenge
What's the problem, challenge, or opportunity you're addressing?
Define Focus and Function
Define the focus and function of the workshop.
Think about which people should be in the workshop, what the expectations will be, and the outcome you want.
Think about which people should be in the workshop, what the expectations will be, and the outcome you want.
Location, location, location
You want to pick a space that promotes collaboration and creativity.
Use a space that has easy to move furniture. Also, you might need movable whiteboards or wallspace for groups to hang Post-it notes or artifacts.
Use a space that has easy to move furniture. Also, you might need movable whiteboards or wallspace for groups to hang Post-it notes or artifacts.
Define Agenda
Take a bias towards action - participants should learn by doing.
Less is more, otherwise activities may feel too rushed. Include buffer time between activities. Dedicate time for discussion and reflection.
Less is more, otherwise activities may feel too rushed. Include buffer time between activities. Dedicate time for discussion and reflection.
Use the Fishbone Template to help you visualize and organize components of your workshop.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DELIVERING A WORKSHOP
Introduction & Framing Workshop
Welcome everyone, set expectations, explain purpose of the workshop, and review the agenda.
Icebreakers and warm-up activities help set the tone for the day (or activity).
Use HPI's Warm-Up Set to lead fun activities with the aim of preparing your group for a certain mode of working.
Use HPI's Warm-Up Set to lead fun activities with the aim of preparing your group for a certain mode of working.
Small and Large Groups
Group size should be 4-6 people.
Sometimes you'll want participants to work in smaller groups - pairs or triads.
Keep in mind that time needed for small group interaction increases with each additional group member.
Sometimes you'll want participants to work in smaller groups - pairs or triads.
Keep in mind that time needed for small group interaction increases with each additional group member.
Workshop Materials
Materials can get easily disorganized, causing delays and sometimes confusion among participants.
Be mindful of how you want participants to use the materials and store them in a location that's easily accessible.
Be mindful of how you want participants to use the materials and store them in a location that's easily accessible.
Keeping track of time while managing all the other aspects of a workshop can sometimes be challenging. Using a tool like Time Timer can be very useful.
Facilitation Team
If you've decided to utilize a support team, think about the roles people could play -- Table Coach, Timekeeper, Floater/Troubleshooter, or Energizer.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN FOLLOWING UP ON A WORKSHOP
Leave a few minutes at the end of each workshop to capture participant feedback.
A Feedback Grid is a helpful method and can be used in many feedback scenarios.
A Feedback Grid is a helpful method and can be used in many feedback scenarios.
Team Debrief
If you included other coaches, take time immediately after the workshop to debrief. Also, take photos of any artifacts (Post-it note clusters, whiteboard sketches, etc).
Future Iterations
Documentation -- Write down what worked and what you might change. Make sure to store these notes somewhere that's easy to locate, so you can apply them to the next iteration of the workshop.
Next Steps
Think about the actions you need to take to progress as a facilitator. Also, actively integrate Design Thinking mindsets into your everyday workflow.
The Design Toolbox gives you quick and easy access to Designing Your Life and Design Thinking "tools" discussed during your training.