Some things seem too obvious to discuss... but they're not...
I've been working on a training class for facilitation.
I've been working on a training class for facilitation.
One common tool of facilitation is the 'parking lot'.
I took it out of the class, because I thought it was too obvious.
I took it out of the class, because I thought it was too obvious.
Recently, however, I found that many experienced facilitators have never heard of a parking lot.
Now it's back in my class.
A parking lot is a place where the group can track ideas or questions that are currently off-topic.
It's usually written on a flip chart, a corner of a white board, or a piece of paper.
Now it's back in my class.
A parking lot is a place where the group can track ideas or questions that are currently off-topic.
It's usually written on a flip chart, a corner of a white board, or a piece of paper.
It's a good idea to set this up at the beginning of a session with a few words, "I don't want to let us get off topic. At the the same time, I want to capture any great ideas we have. So, let's talk freely. If I think something is off-topic, however, or better handled later, I'll put it in the parking lot. Okay?"
This accomplishes a number of objectives.
This accomplishes a number of objectives.
- it keeps us on topic
- it helps us capture great ideas
- it helps the facilitator look competent
