The Facilitation Studio

Mapping is how you get all of your collaborators on the same page, speaking the same language and ready to work together productively. It's how you build the shared picture that the rest of the workshop runs on top of.This is the first of four deep-dives into the workshop activity types — Dream, Map, Distil, Prioritise — picking up from issue #7 (the four types) and issue #22 (the Butterfly that links them).I get into why mapping has to be an active thing the group does together rather than something presented at them, what the spectrum of mapping tools actually looks like (from immersive service safaris at one end to a quietly-handled empathy map template at the other), the three ways it most often goes sideways (rabbit-holing, treating an outlier as gospel, and pretending the gaps in the map don't exist), and how you know when you've done enough. There's a pre-mapping checklist at the end you can steal.We cover:[~00:00] Opening — what Map is actually for[~02:00] Why you do it together — cognition, memory, and the collective notebook[~04:30] What it looks like in practice — the spectrum from service safari to empathy map[~07:00] Three things to watch out for — rabbit-holing, mole-hills into mountains, missing gaps[~09:30] Doing just enough mapping — knowing when to stop, and the playback ritual[~11:30] A checklist to take into your next mapping phaseLinksService safari — https://servicedesigntools.org/tools/service-safari Empathy mapping (Nielsen Norman Group) — https://www.nngroup.com/articles/empathy-mapping/issue #7 — The four things you can do in a workshopissue #22 — The Butterfly Process [paste Substack URL at publish] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

The Butterfly is the mental model I use to understand how workshops actually move. Two wings, active work and reflective work, and a single point at the centre that every transition passes through without exception. In this episode I walk through what that centre point actually looks, sounds, and feels like in practice. I also explain why the Butterfly and the Double Diamond aren't competing frameworks, they're doing different jobs. One is your compass. One is your collaborators' map.Sections[~00:00] Opening — the blur vs. the purposeful workshop[~02:30] Introducing the Butterfly[~05:00] What a Reflect point actually looks like[~10:00] Where the Butterfly came from — the Double Diamond and its cousins[~13:30] Working with the Butterfly in practiceLinks mentionedThe Double Diamond — The Design Council's framework for design and innovationIssue #7: Dream, Map, Distil, Prioritise Issue #21: The whisk, the recipe, and knowing how to cook This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

Ever watched someone run a Design Sprint on a three-year strategy question? Every step executed perfectly. Entirely wrong outcome. That's not a facilitation problem — that's a vocabulary problem.In this episode I'm unpacking a distinction that I think sits at the heart of getting better at this work: the difference between a tool, a method, and a process. They're not the same thing, they don't do the same jobs, and mixing them up is one of the most common reasons workshops fail to deliver.We use a kitchen analogy to work it out. A whisk is a tool. A Victoria sponge recipe is a method. Knowing how to cook is a process. And — crucially — no amount of perfect recipe-following will get you an omelette.In this episode:Why tools are only powerful in combination, and in the right momentWhat makes a method brilliant — and when it becomes a liabilityThe difference between following a process and understanding oneWhy two facilitators with identical tools and methods will still run completely different sessions (that's the seasoning)Whether you actually need to understand process at all — or whether mastering one good method is entirely the right ambitionResources mentioned:Hyper Island ToolboxInteraction Design FoundationFigJam Community TemplatesLiberating StructuresSprint by Jake KnappPractical Facilitation by Dr Christine HoganGamestorming by Dave GrayRead the full article at facilitationstudio.substack.comWhat's in your toolkit? And is there a method you swear by, or one you've seen spectacularly misapplied? I'd love to hear — drop me a message or leave a comment on the Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

Most people start planning a workshop by dropping activities onto a board. An icebreaker here, a brainstorm there, a How Might We and some dot-voting to tidy things up. Two hours, looks solid. The problem is, you've just picked the words before you know what you want to say.In this episode, I'm talking about the step that sits between your intent and your agenda — the one most facilitators skip entirely. Critical questions are the scaffolding that holds your activities in place, and without them, you're building on hope rather than structure. I'll walk you through the five steps I use to find, test, and sequence them so that by the time you're thinking about activities, every single one has a job to do.If you've ever stood in front of a room wondering whether the pieces are actually going to connect, this one's for you.In this episode:- Why choosing activities first gives you an agenda with very weak foundations- How to find the questions that only your collaborators can answer- Why not every question belongs in the room — and how to figure out which ones do- How to stress-test your questions against the people you've invited- Why the right sequence isn't always the tidy oneLinks and resources mentioned:Issue #9 — The road to a valuable workshopFind out more about facilitation coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

Should we be living in a dotocracy?Everyone uses dot-voting. It's fast, it feels democratic, and it gives a room full of people a satisfying sense of progress. The problem is that most of the time, it's being asked to do something it was never designed for.In this episode I'm talking about the difference between narrowing a list and making a decision — and why confusing the two is one of the most common ways workshops quietly go wrong. I'll cover why dot-voting without criteria is just a popularity contest, why the dots are contagious, and why not everyone's vote is equal — and why that's absolutely fine.If you've ever watched a cluster form on a wall of post-its and wondered whether anything actually got decided, this one's for you.In this episode:• Why groups surface options but individuals make decisions• Yhree ways dot-voting goes wrong• How to set it up so it actually means something• When to put the dots away entirelyLinks and resources mentioned:Issue #8 — Drive good decision-making with criteriaRead the full articleFind out more about facilitation coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

In this episode, we dive into the essentials for running successful in-person workshops. From packing the ultimate kit—including agendas, print materials, Sharpies, and super sticky Post-its—to setting up the perfect environment and managing logistics, this issue has got you covered. Learn the tricks to handle tech failures, plan ahead, and keep your workshop running smoothly. Plus, get tips on efficient time management and prepping your space for an engaging, collaborative session. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 00:23 Preparing for In-Person Workshops 00:49 Essential Workshop Kit 06:45 Additional Important Items 11:25 The Process Checklist 13:51 Final Preparations and Execution 15:22 Post-Workshop Follow-Up 15:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

Mastering Remote Workshops: An Essential Toolkit & Checklist Join me for this jam-packed episode where we dive into the essentials of running a remote workshop; get a sneak peek into an expert’s desk setup designed to boost workshop delivery, from must-have gadgets to delightful extras. You'll also find a step-by-step checklist for a stress-free preparation, ensuring your tech and participants are ready to rock. Plus, learn about the tools to keep sessions dynamic and engaging. For those ready to up their game, explore an exciting course on crafting impeccable workshop agendas. Let's make remote facilitation fun and effective! 00:00 Issue 17: Your remote workshop checklist. 00:13 Introduction to Remote Workshop Facilitation 01:09 Essential Tools for Remote Workshops 05:05 Advanced Gadgets for Enhanced Facilitation 07:20 Pre-Workshop Planning and Preparation 12:21 Post-Workshop Follow-Up and Feedback 13:10 Conclusion and Further Learning Opportunities This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

Remote, In-Person, or Hybrid: Choosing the Right Format for Your WorkshopIn this issue, we dive into the pros and cons of delivering workshops in different formats: in-person, remote, and hybrid. You'll learn about the key benefits of each, such as building relationships and managing environments in-person, achieving global reach and pre/post engagement in remote sessions, and the complex yet rewarding hybrid setup. We highlight ideal scenarios for each type to help you make a deliberate choice for your next workshop00:13 Introduction: Choosing Your Workshop Format 00:47 In-Person Workshops 05:30 Remote Workshops 11:25 Hybrid Workshops 15:19 Summary and Conclusion This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

#15 - The Art of the Presentation pt 2: Slides, Structure, and StrategyIn this episode from the Facilitation Studio, we jump into presentation slides and structure. Learn about the effective use of slides, keeping presentations concise, and prepping like a pro. Plus, get top tips on slide design and pacing, explore the intense PechaKucha method, and discover why practice is your best friend.00:00 Introduction to the Art of Presentation00:22 Upcoming Online Course Announcement (survey link - https://maven.com/forms/1a1043)01:00 Effective Use of Slides02:54 Guidelines for Preparation and Presentation07:13 Practice Makes Perfect10:41 Encouraging Audience Engagement11:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

In this episode, we're diving into the essentials of presenting your own work effectively. Learn why you should be the one presenting your ideas, how to understand and engage with your audience, and tips for giving a captivating presentation. We emphasize the importance of being present, using your voice and body language, and pacing your delivery. Get ready to elevate your presentation game and stay tuned for part two, where we'll tackle using slides, structuring your presentation, and more!00:00 Introduction to Presentation Skills01:05 Importance of Presenting Your Own Work02:13 Understanding Your Audience03:32 Engaging Presentation Techniques05:22 Conclusion and Next Steps This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

I don’t understand what you want from me.Have you ever sat in a room full of people who are busily working away and felt like you’re outside the loop? Like you missed the memo and don’t know what’s going on? It’s disenfranchising and disengaging. People in this situation often draw into themselves and go silent, or they take control of events and turn them into something they do understand, which can pull everything off track for you.Here are five (and a bit) ways you can avoid falling into this trap. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

We all share a fear of the "difficult" collaborator. In this mini-series of three issues, we'll cover the top three reasons a collaborator might not play ball. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

You know that awkward pause when you open the floor for discussion? The one where everyone looks at you blankly, and you’re not sure if you’ve made a horrible error, you’ve totally misunderstood something fundamental, or perhaps you aren’t actually speaking the same language as your collaborators. Today we’re going to talk about how to avoid that moment. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

Since you're reading this, I suspect you also think workshops are an excellent way to bring people together to collaborate, address complex challenges, and come to impactful conclusions. However, as we all know, a great workshop takes more than throwing people in a room with a vague direction and expecting them to make magic happen. Without clear aims and objectives, workshops can quickly become unfocused, with much of that latent potential being wasted.To avoid that, there is one question that will set you off in the right direction. "What will you be able to do after?". Nine times out of ten, the answer is something along the lines of "The whole team will be aligned". You'll notice that this doesn't answer the question.Today we will look at how you can lay the foundation for success by defining your goals and building towards your outcomes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

Good decision-making starts with understanding the criteria you’re using to make your judgements. In this issue, we will walk through the process of defining your criteria with a case study. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

In this issue, we'll explore how you can select the best workshop activities for your session by grouping them into four categories: Dream, Map, Distill, and Prioritise.You can set different cadences and rhythms to achieve your workshop goals by focusing on these four categories. Instead of being activity-led, ask yourself what you're trying to achieve and use that to select from the plethora of tools available. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

In his funny and fantastic 2008 TED talk Benjamin Zander talks about his job as a conductor. The link with facilitation and leadership gives us plenty of insight to take away. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

In the previous issue, I introduced Edward de Bono's six-hat thinking tool, a powerful technique for exploring multiple perspectives and generating new ideas. In this issue, we will dive deeper into how to apply the six thinking hats in the structure of a project retrospective. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats is a tool for guiding teams through complex conversations and achieving specific outcomes using six different thinking styles. In this episode we run through the six hats, the theory and two ways you can apply the tool to decision making and ideation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

In the last issue, we discussed five essential elements of successful workshop facilitation and how to start including them in your work. Today we’re coming from the other angle; five things you can watch out for and how to avert them if they happen to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

In this edition, you'll learn about five essential things to consider when planning your workshops. These key elements will help you and your collaborators achieve your goals while avoiding common pitfalls. Best of all, each one includes something you can immediately put into action. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

Hi there! I’m John Sunart, a Design Strategist and Facilitator, and this is the start of the Facilitation Studio. If you’re wondering what that means, and I’m pretty sure you will be, let me explain... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com