GLOSSARY
No. 1
For
ICA -Technology of Participation (ToP) Suite
In
general we try to avoid using difficult or
specialist terms on our workshops. However, we
do use a few
words that may not be obvious to non-native English speakers, and a
few words have specific meanings for our courses and methods. Most or
all of these terms will be explained in more depth during the course,
but this list may help get you started.
Brainstorm
– One
of the world’s best known and most studied group processes,
Brainstorming is helping a group generate ideas or information by
removing self-censorship (all ideas are ok), encouraging creativity,
and prompting new ideas inspired by others in the group.
Cluster
– In
ICA methods, we often organise information or ideas by moving cards
or papers around in relation to each other. We put them together by
common theme, intent or outcome, and call this process clustering.
Collaboration
– working
together to achieve an aim.
Consensus
– consensus
means agreement, especially on a decision or planned action.
Consensus may be strong,
if everyone is in full agreement on what to do, or it may be weak,
if it is a decision or action that everyone has agreed to follow,
even if they might personally prefer something else. Democratic
voting processes are examples of weak consensus… everybody agrees
to abide by the result, even if they don’t like it.
Consensus
Workshop method – a
core method from the ToP suite of group facilitation methods. Using
this method, a facilitator can lead a group to agree their own
answers to some important question.
Context
– In
our group facilitation processes, the context is the first step,
including welcoming the group, explaining the subject of the
conversation and possibly the aims, outlining the timeline and
process, outlining the givens, and helping the group feel comfortable
having someone act in the role of a facilitator (contracting).
Contracting
– In
our group processes, contracting means getting the permission and
support of the group, formally or informally, to act in the role of a
facilitator and be in charge of the group process.
Coordination
– Complex
implementation plans will most often need a coordinator, how helps
the people or teams carrying out the action communicate with each
other and be responsible to each other.
Decisional
– In
group conversation process, groups reach a decisional stage when they
are ready to choose an action, make a decision, or finalise their
thoughts on a subject.
Experiential
Aim – the
intended mood or tone of the group as they are going through a
facilitated process, such as “feel energised and excited about
moving forward” or “feel supported and cared for in a tough
situation.”
Facilitation
- The
act of making something easier. In the context of group work,
facilitation means guiding the group through a process to achieve
their aim, such as having a conversation, making a decision, or
planning for action. Facilitation is process-focused, working to
encourage participation and maintain a neutral point of view, and is
therefore distinct from moderating, chairing, training, mediating, or
coaching.
Facilitative
Leader – someone
tasked with helping a group achieve work together, usually to carry
out a project, programme or task, who is committed to leading in a
facilitative style, so that everyone in the group is able to help
make decisions and plans together.
Facilitator
– the
person who guides a group through a facilitation process, working to
gain participation and consensus. Usually the facilitator stays
neutral to the content of the discussion, not putting in his or her
own preferences or biases.
Focus
question – ICA
workshops often use a focus question to define the topic to be
discussed. Usually, answering the focus question is an important part
of the group’s rational aim. The focus question might be simple
(what is our favourite pizza) or complicated (what are the key
actions we need to take now to meet our fundraising goals in the
final quarter of 2013?). The focus question must be carefully crafted
to meet the needs of the group.
Focused
Conversation Method or
ORID .– one
of the core methods of ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP)
group facilitation methods. Using this method, a facilitator can lead
a group through a meaningful, participatory conversation, without
getting stuck or going in circles, leading to a natural ending with
an appropriate decision or action.
Givens
– the
facts of what we already know about a situation. In our Action
Planning process, we start by reviewing what decisions have already
been made about the project, what resources are available, who is
involved, etc.
Group
Process – in
our group facilitation work, Group Process is the steps that a group
goes through to help them have a conversation, make a decision, plan
for action, or meet some other aim. The process
is
distinguished from the content
of
the discussion, which is the actual subject under discussion,
including the information, feelings, opinions, and decisions about
that subject.
Hierarchical
– the
traditional model of top-down leadership, with one person at the top
of an organisational structure receiving information and making
decisions, and those underneath carrying out action and reporting
back.
Implementation
– Implementation
is the stage that comes after a facilitated event, the stage of
actually carrying out the agreed decisions. All of our methods have
an element of deciding what is next, and what actions need to be
taken, which is planning for implementation.
Interpretive
– in
our group conversation processes, interpretive information is about
why and how things happen, and including learning, logical
connections, analysis, interpretation and significance.
Naming
– In
ICA processes, when group finds a common theme in their ideas, they
work together to name this theme in way that represents the
consensus.
Objective
– this
word can have many meanings! In our group facilitation processes
objective information is the basic factual information about a
subject which should be reviewed and understood at the start of a
process.
Ownership –
this
term means possessing something and having control over it. In group
process work, we use this term to mean that a group feels like the
decision or plan is their
decision
or plan, leading to a strong sense of identity with the plan and
greater commitment to implementation.
Participation
– participation
means being involved. In the context of group work at ICA,
participation means making sure everyone in the room is able to take
part in the discussion, expressing their views and having their input
seriously considered. In general, ICA believes that people have a
right to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, and we
work to make that possible.
Rational
Aim – The
outcome or practical goal of a group process, such as “make a
decision about the issue”, “agree the new organisational mission”
or “create a plan for delivering the project”
Reflective
– In
our group processes, reflective information is information that comes
from feelings, gut instincts, memories or associations from the past.
It is important to consider the emotions people have about the
subject under discussion, because if they are hidden, it may lead to
conflict or difficulty later!
Resolve
– Many
ICA group processes end with a resolve section, in which the
facilitator helps the group discuss the significance of what has been
accomplished and agree any final next steps.
Stakeholders
– all
the people who have an interest or a say in the subject being
discussed.
The
Historical Scan – An
ICA method for helping groups review and remember the story of their
past and what got them to the current point. This method is also
sometimes called the “Wall of Wonder”
Vision
– an
agreed ideal end point. In our action planning process, we help the
group create a vision
of
what the outcome will be after the plan is carried out. The vision
may not be realistic and it may never be totally achieved, but it
serves as an ideal guide for what the group wants to do.
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