Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making
by Sam Kaner with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duane Berger

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I: Grounding Principles
  1   The Dynamics of Group Decision-Making . . . . . . . . . 03
  2   Participatory Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
  3   Introduction to the Role of Facilitator . . . . . . . . . . . .  31

Part II: Facilitator Fundamentals
  4   Facilitative Listening Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
  5   Chart Writing Technique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65
  6   Brainstorming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  79
  7   Tools for Managing Long Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  87
  8   Facilitating Open Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   99
  9   Alternatives to Open Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  113
10   Effective Agendas: Design Principles . . . . . . . . . . . .   145
11   Effective Agendas: Desired Outcomes . . . . . . . . . . .  161
12   Effective Agendas: Process Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  177
13   Dealing with Difficult Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   197
14   Classic Facilitator Challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   215

Part III: Sustainable Agreements
15   Principles for Building Sustainable Agreements . . .  229
16   Inclusive Solutions in Real Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   239
17   Creative Reframing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   253

Part IV: Facilitating Sustainable Agreements
        Introduction to Part IV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   262
18   Facilitating in the Divergent Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   265
19   Facilitating in the Groan Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   279
20   Facilitating in the Convergent Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . .  295
21   Teaching a Group About Group Dynamics . . . . . . .  309

Part V: Reaching Closure
22   The Significance of Clear Decision Rules . . . . . . . . .  323
23   Striving for Unanimity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  333
24   Reaching Closure Step By Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  347
25   Facilitating Sustainable Agreements, Revisited . . . .  363