In the realm of project management, the ability to facilitate effectively is crucial. Project managers often lead multiple sessions monthly, and the success of these sessions can significantly impact project outcomes. A new course, “Facilitation Skills for Project Managers,” aims to equip project managers with the necessary skills to enhance their facilitation capabilities.
The Importance of Facilitation in Project Management
Project managers typically lead between five and twelve project-related sessions per month. These sessions are pivotal for diagnosing and resolving disagreements, preventing dysfunctional behavior, and inspiring team engagement. Effective facilitation can transform these sessions, leading to more successful project outcomes.
Leadership Strategies and Training
Leadership Strategies, a market leader in facilitation training, has trained over 35,000 professionals. Their team includes 11 of the world’s 56 certified master facilitators. The organization offers training in major cities and provides private sessions both virtually and on-site.
The Eight Essentials of a Project Team
A successful project team should have eight essentials: purpose, success measures, scope, resources, charge, solution process, leadership process, and teamwork. Missing any of these can hinder a team’s success, with the top five focusing on the project’s “why” and the bottom three on the “how.”
Course Focus: Bottom Three Essentials
The course emphasizes the bottom three essentials: solution process, leadership process, and teamwork. These elements are crucial for executing projects effectively. The course is designed to address common issues in project sessions, such as unclear purposes, unprepared attendees, and lack of alignment.
Types of Project Sessions
Project sessions are categorized into status meetings and working meetings. It’s essential to keep these sessions distinct to maintain focus and efficiency.
- Status meetings involve one-way communication
- Working meetings focus on problem-solving and creation
Characteristics of Masterful Project Sessions
Masterful project sessions are characterized by clear preparation, timely starts, focused execution, and effective closing. Preparation involves understanding the purpose, products, participants, probable issues, process, and platform. Starting sessions with the IEEI (Inform, Excite, Empower, Involve) method can set a positive tone.
Addressing Dysfunctional Behavior
Dysfunctional behavior can disrupt sessions. It’s crucial to understand and address the root causes of such behavior. The course provides strategies for dealing with various dysfunctions, emphasizing empathy and solution-focused approaches.
Conclusion
The “Facilitation Skills for Project Managers” course offers a comprehensive approach to mastering facilitation. By focusing on the essentials of project teams and addressing common session issues, project managers can lead more effective and successful sessions. This course is a valuable opportunity for those looking to enhance their facilitation skills and improve project outcomes.
