The Workshop Book

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction

Part 1. The Consensus Workshop Method
1. Why Use the Consensus Workshop Method?
Those awful meetings
Innocent of process
Common uses of "workshop"
When the method works best

2. Some Background
Development of the Method
The uniqueness of the method
The Impact of the method

3. The Consensus Workshop As Life Method
ICA/ ToP⢠methods
Four phases
An example of the method in action
Five steps

4. Two Approaches to the Consensus Workshop
The cards approach
The flip chart approach

Part 2. The Finer Points of the Consensus Workshop
5. The Context: Orienting the Group
The Workshop Assumptions
The Workshop Book

6. Brainstorming: Harvesting the Group's Ideas
Brainstorming using a flip-chart
Possible pitfalls
The facilitator's disciplined clarification of data

7. Clustering Ideas: Order out of Chaos
The intent of clustering
Traps in clustering
The clustering principle

8. Naming: One Concept from Many Ideas
The procedures

9. Step 5: Symbolizing the Resolve
Optional follow-up steps after a consensus workshop

Part 3. Workshop Leadership
10. Design and Preparation of a Consensus Workshop
Assessing the group's techniques and situation
Creating a focus question
Orchestrating the process
Personal prep
Rehearsing the facilitator's stance

11. The Style of the Workshop Facilitator
The workshop facilitator's job
Launching a consensus workshop
Facilitator competencies
The fundamental requirement
The paradox of facilitators
Facilitation by the boss or the expert
Be the one you are

12. Challenges That Stretch the Facilitator
Difficult people or difficult behaviors
Using the method to deal with the issues

13. Time, Space, Mood and Group
Managing time effectively
Managing space
Managing the mood: creating eventfulness
Managing the group: using short courses

Part 4. Consensus Workshop Applications
14. Using the Consensus Workshop Method with Various Group Sizes
A. Workshop for an individual
B. Workshop for a small group of two to four
C. Workshop for a group of five to 40
D. Workshop for a group of 40 to 100
E. Workshop for a group over 100

15. Using the Consensus Workshop Method in a Series
Model-building consensus workshop series
ToP⢠Planning Series

Appendix 1. Building Consensus
Appendix 2. Examples of Focus Questions
Appendix 3. ICA: Its Mission and Locations

Bibliography
Index