How do you assess your facilitation skills' impact on a group's performance?

1 Define your facilitation goals

Before you can assess your facilitation skills' impact, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve as a facilitator. What are the objectives and expectations of the group session? What are the desired outcomes and outputs? How do you want the participants to feel and behave during and after the session? By defining your facilitation goals, you can align your skills and methods with the group's needs and purpose, and set the criteria for evaluation.

2 Collect feedback from participants

One of the most direct and reliable ways to assess your facilitation skills' impact is to collect feedback from the participants of the group session. You can use various methods, such as surveys, polls, interviews, or focus groups, to gather their opinions and perceptions of your facilitation style, techniques, and results. You can ask them to rate your performance on different aspects, such as clarity, engagement, flexibility, inclusivity, and creativity. You can also ask them to share their insights, suggestions, and testimonials on how your facilitation helped them achieve their goals, learn new skills, or solve problems.

3 Observe and document group dynamics

Another way to assess your facilitation skills' impact is to observe and document how the group interacts and performs during and after the session. You can use qualitative and quantitative indicators, such as participation rates, communication patterns, conflict resolution, decision making, action plans, or deliverables, to measure the group's progress and outcomes. You can also look for signs of trust, cohesion, diversity, and innovation within the group, and how your facilitation influenced them. You can use tools, such as video recordings, notes, charts, or graphs, to capture and analyze the group dynamics.

4 Reflect on your own experience

A third way to assess your facilitation skills' impact is to reflect on your own experience as a facilitator. You can use self-assessment tools, such as journals, checklists, or rubrics, to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, challenges and opportunities, and areas for improvement. You can also compare your performance with your initial goals, and identify any gaps or discrepancies. You can also seek feedback from other facilitators, mentors, or peers, who can offer you constructive criticism and advice.

5 Apply the feedback loop

The final way to assess your facilitation skills' impact is to apply the feedback loop, which means using the data and insights you collected and reflected on to improve your facilitation skills and practices. You can use the feedback loop to plan, implement, review, and adjust your facilitation strategies and techniques, based on the needs and preferences of the group and the context. You can also use the feedback loop to monitor and track your facilitation performance and impact over time, and celebrate your achievements and learn from your mistakes.

6 Assessing your facilitation skills' impact is an ongoing process

Assessing your facilitation skills' impact is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and adaptation. By using the methods we discussed in this article, you can gain valuable insights into your facilitation skills' impact on a group's performance, and how to enhance them for future success. You can also use these methods to demonstrate your value and credibility as a facilitator, and to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within the group.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?