Tag Archives: #ToPfacilitation

I’ve never been as inspired and energised – ToP facilitation case study

“I’ve never been as inspired and energised about the topic of data standards as I have been today with this fantastic group of people!” – Shelley Heckman on LinkedIn

Context

In late 2023 I was approached by Shelley Heckman of iStandUK to facilitate an away day of it’s Executive Board in London in March 2024.

The mission of iStandUK is to promote Data Standards that support efficiency, transformation, and transparency of local public services in the UK. The Executive Board includes representatives from local authorities, government departments and other representative groups such as the LGA, SOCITM and TechUK. The Board serves as both a programme board and a leadership forum for collaboration across the local public sector.

The March away day was to build on another just held in December, which had been an opportunity for the Board to start exploring a strategic approach to digital standards for local public services.

At that first meeting the group had looked at the question ‘what are the specific needs and ambitions of public services that could be addressed by standards?’ A visioning exercise followed, which allowed the group to explore what would be the impact of data standards being implemented across all public sector organisations in a way that creates the most impact. The group then explored what would be necessary from our group to achieve the collective vision. The day culminated with a number of action commitments, including to create a specification for a data standards business case for the UK local public sector.

Aims

In conversation with Shelley, Board Chair Phil Swan and Programme Director Paul Davidson, the aims of the March away day were agreed to be as follows:

To build on the conversation started at the December away day, to articulate what we are ready to commit to in relation to:

    • building a vehicle that supports interoperable standards across local government at a national level, what it might look like and the way forward to get there,
    • commissioning a scoping exercise for a vehicle for data standards, and the draft Specification paper,
    • iStandUK and its future, as that vehicle and/or otherwise.

To build upon the collective sense of the importance and urgency of interoperable data standards for the sector that was recognised in December, and to build commitment to influence budget holders to invest funds in a standards body.

Methodology and approach

For this assignment, I proposed to draw on the following of ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP) methods in particular:

The Focused Conversation method provides a structured, four-level process for effective communication which ensures that everyone in a group has the opportunity to participate.

The Consensus Workshop method is a five-stage process that incorporates Focused Conversation for effective communication and that enables a facilitator to draw out and weave together everybody’s wisdom into a clear consensus.

Agenda & process

10:00 Arrivals & welcome refreshments
10:30 Opening, welcome & introductions; approach, aims & agenda

Our hopes & aspirations for today
11.00 The story so far – what do we know?

  • December workshop & outputs
  • December commitments & actions
  • Draft specification paper – Paul Davidson
  • iStandUK position – Phil Swan

Reflection
12.00 Lunch
12.30 Our commitment – ‘Consensus Workshop’

What do we hope that we are all ready to commit to – in relation building a vehicle, commissioning a scoping exercise, and iStandUK & its future?

What do we find that we are in fact ready to commit to? Are we ready to commit to work with such a vehicle? To help to fund it?
2.00 Break
2.15 Implications & next steps

What does this mean – for building a vehicle, commissioning a scoping exercise, iStandUK & its future, otherwise?
3.15 Reflection & close

What went well? What could have gone better?
3:30 End

Feedback and impact

Participants’ on-site feedback included:

  • Open and collaborative atmosphere
  • Energy and commitment from everyone
  • Great collaboration, great networking, great outcomes
  • Made more progress than I would have expected in time available
  • We got a better output than I expected
  • Excellent facilitation

Shelley wrote soon afterwards on LinkedIn:

I’ve never been as inspired and energised about the topic of data standards as I have been today with this fantastic group of people!

The iStandUK Executive Board met in London to talk ambitiously about our collective commitment to data standards for public services.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

NEW! ToP facilitation masterclass with IAF Italy, 22-23 May in Lomazzo

I am excited to be offering ToP facilitation training in Italy in May, in partnership with IAF Italy, the Italian chapter of the International Association of Facilitators. My last, pictured, was in Pisa in 2019.

The specially tailored ToP masterclass: Group Facilitation Methods and Participatory Strategic Planning will be held in Lomazzo, between Milan and Como, on Thursday & Friday, 22-23 May – scroll down for details.

A 10% early booking discount is available until Monday 21 April with the promo code EarlyBird.

A few places remain available on my upcoming courses in April as well:

Register now for public courses in EventbriteRegister now in Eventbrite for these and other upcoming public courses in London, Brussels & elsewhere.

ToP masterclass: Group Facilitation Methods and Participatory Strategic Planning, May 22-23 in Lomazzo.

This two-day masterclass is for all those who want to be able to engage people more effectively to build shared understanding and consensus, and create strategies for action, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with Boards, management teams, partnerships and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators. The course has no pre-requisite.

IAF endorsed trainingIAF members enjoy a special 10% discount – see Exclusive Offers for IAF Members.

This course will introduce the two foundational methods of ICA’s ‘Technology of Participation‘ (ToP) methodology, and a third which adapts and applies these to creating strategies for action:

  • ToP Focused Conversation provides a structured, four-level process for effective communication which ensures that everyone in a group has the opportunity to participate
  • ToP Consensus Workshop is a five stage process that enables a facilitator to draw out and weave together everybody’s wisdom into a clear and practical consensus
  • ToP Participatory Strategic Planning is a structured long-range planning process which incorporates ToP Consensus Workshop for building consensus, ToP Focused Conversation for effective group communication, and an implementation process for turning ideas into productive action and concrete accomplishments.

More experienced facilitators may be ready to apply the methods effectively in their own situations. For others the course will serve as a powerful, experiential introduction to ICA’s ToP methodology.

Register now for public courses in Eventbrite

Register now in Eventbrite for this and other upcoming public courses in London, Brussels & elsewhere.

For additional courses offered by fellow ICA:UK Associates, see the full ICA:UK public course schedule.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

Facilitating a culture of participation in international organisations with IAF Belgium in Brussels

How can international organisations foster a true culture of participation? What can we learn from past experiences to shape the future?

Join me for this facilitated session with IAF Belgium on Monday 31 March in Brussels, where we will explore these questions using the Historical Scan method of ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP).

In this interactive session, I will guide you through a participatory approach to reviewing the past and preparing for the future. Together, we will reflect on our diverse experiences and perspectives on participation in international organisations.

I will also share:
✔ insights into the theory behind the method
✔ real-world examples of the method in action
✔ ways you can apply the method in your own practice

The event is free, but spaces are limited, so register now to secure your spot on Meetup.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join me also for the following ToP facilitation training in Brussels, the following days:

  1. Group Facilitation Methods, April 1-2: introducing the foundations of the ToP approach, two powerful techniques for structuring effective conversations and building group consensus
  2. Action Planning, April 3: participatory planning for short-term projects and events

Register now in Eventbrite for these and other upcoming public courses in London, Brussels & elsewhere.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

ToP masterclass: Facilitating dialogue, learning, consensus & change at #Facilitate2025

I am excited to be offering pre-conference training again this year in conjunction with the UK’s premier facilitation learning event, the IAF England & Wales annual Annual Conference Facilitate2025, held Friday 25 and Saturday 26 April in Birmingham.

Facilitate2025 is an opportunity for facilitators to come together to share, learn and develop understanding, skills and practice. Everyone interested in facilitation is welcome, whether you are brand new to this work or have been doing it for years, whether you work in-house or externally and whether you facilitate some or all of the time.  As part of the 2025 programme there will be a thread on anti-racism and what this means for us as facilitators.

There will be a number of facilitation training courses being offered in the same training venue the day before the conference, at an additional cost. You can check them out and find the booking links here.

My own pre-conference training is the ToP masterclass: Facilitating dialogue, learning, consensus & change – introducing ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP), transformational tools for dialogue, learning, consensus & change – Thursday 24 April.

This one-day master-class is suitable for all those who want to be able to involve people more effectively in dialogue, learning, consensus & change, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with Boards, management teams, partnerships and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators. The course has no pre-requisite.

This course will introduce two foundational methods of ICA’s ‘Technology of Participation’ (ToP) methodology, and two that adapt and apply these foundations to strategic review, planning and change:

  • ToP Focused Conversation provides a structured, four-level process for effective communication which ensures that everyone in a group has the opportunity to participate
  • ToP Consensus Workshop is a five stage process that enables a facilitator to draw out and weave together everybody’s wisdom into a clear and practical consensus
  • ToP Historical Scan (or ‘Wall of Wonder) is a powerful tool to enable a group to share and learn from their varied perspectives of a journey through history, and in context, to review the past in order to prepare for the future
  • ToP Participatory Strategic Planning is a structured long-range planning process which incorporates ToP Consensus Workshop for building consensus, ToP Focused Conversation for effective group communication, and an implementation process for turning ideas into productive action and concrete accomplishments.

Register now for public courses in Eventbrite

Register now in Eventbrite for this and other upcoming public courses in London, Brussels & elsewhere – scroll down for dates & locations.

Discounts: IAF members enjoy a special 10% discount – see Exclusive Offers for IAF Members.  Conference attendees enjoy a 25% discount (IAF members and non-members).

For additional courses offered by fellow ICA:UK Associates, see the full ICA:UK public course schedule.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

New: 2025 ICA:UK ToP facilitation training in London, Manchester, Birmingham & Brussels

Kickstart the New Year with a commitment to your personal and professional development – enjoy a 10% discount on any course by registering with the promo code EarlyBird before Monday 13 January.

I am excited to announce the ICA:UK 2025 schedule of public ToP facilitation training courses in London, Manchester, Birmingham & Brussels, including:

Register now for public courses in Eventbrite

Register now in Eventbrite for my own upcoming public courses in London, Brussels & elsewhere – scroll down for dates & locations.

For additional courses offered by fellow ICA:UK Associates, see the full ICA:UK public course schedule.

Enjoy a 10% discount on any course by registering with the promo code EarlyBird before Monday 13 January.

“If you have ever wondered what questions to ask, or in what order to ask them, to lead a conversation that is focused, intentional, inclusive, and productive, let this book be your guide.” – Martin Gilbraith

Are you interested to learn more about ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP) in a free, one-hour, interactive online session that offers an experience of virtual facilitation as well? Join us to connect, share & learn on Monday, 16 December 2024, 15:00-16:00 UK time, for this Free facilitation webinar: the Art of Focused Conversation with Jo Nelson.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.