Initial contracting issues in small group facilitation

It is quite common today for teams to use facilitators to expedite group process and help the teams reach desired goals. As the use of facilitators becomes widespread, however, people called in as facilitators may find themselves also being expected to serve as leaders, mediators, and/or instructors' to name only a few of the combined roles that exist. Some of this confusion over the duties of the facilitator arises because people use the term “facilitate” rather loosely to cover a variety of activities. In this paper the authors discusses the definition of facilitation, the differing goals of basic and developmental facilitation, interventions techniques and tools that might be used, facilitator skills needed, and desired outcomes. I also raise questions related to each of these areas that might improve the chances of having a desirable outcome for all involved in the facilitation.