Yet another interesting online resource ...
Design with Dialogue describes four types of group consultation approaches, the situations they apply to and the facilitation techniques that work for each.
Exploration is about examining a situation in an open ended way. It emphasizes learning and insight over action and results. Techniques include Conversation Cafe and World Cafe. It could be a useful first step in community needs assessment for libraries but it requires additional followup.
Conflict transformation is for resolving conflict. Techniques include Sustained Dialogue and Compassionate Listening. It wouldn't normally be relevant in community needs assessment unless you have a situation where the public is upset about something, e.g. the relocation of a beloved library. It could also be useful for resolving conflicts between and within board and staff.
Decision making is about getting to the point where you decide something. If "exploration" is the beginning, "decision making" is the end. It is appropriate for when "public engagement is needed on an issue to strengthen policy decisions and public knowledge" - and that is exactly the case with community needs assessment for libraries. "These methods are recommended when the issue at hand is going to be decided on by a single entity, such as a government agency or committee, that is genuinely interested in learning about their constituents’ informed opinions and shared values." This is the sweet spot for library planning. Appropriate techniques include National Issues Forums, Deliberative Polling, 21st Century Town Meetings, Charrettes, and Consensus Conferences.
"Key features of decision making methods include unbiased “naming” of the issue and balanced framing of options, creating space for participants to weigh all options and consider different positions, and identifying the public’s core values around an issue."
Collaborative action empowers the group to make decisions and can even assign responsibility for results to the group or members thereof. It is appropriate when dealing with partners. This level of empowerment and offloading of responsibility seems a bit much for the public library / community relationship. Study Circles, Future Search, and Appreciative Inquiry work for collaborative situations.
Design with Dialogue describes four types of group consultation approaches, the situations they apply to and the facilitation techniques that work for each.
Exploration is about examining a situation in an open ended way. It emphasizes learning and insight over action and results. Techniques include Conversation Cafe and World Cafe. It could be a useful first step in community needs assessment for libraries but it requires additional followup.
Conflict transformation is for resolving conflict. Techniques include Sustained Dialogue and Compassionate Listening. It wouldn't normally be relevant in community needs assessment unless you have a situation where the public is upset about something, e.g. the relocation of a beloved library. It could also be useful for resolving conflicts between and within board and staff.
Decision making is about getting to the point where you decide something. If "exploration" is the beginning, "decision making" is the end. It is appropriate for when "public engagement is needed on an issue to strengthen policy decisions and public knowledge" - and that is exactly the case with community needs assessment for libraries. "These methods are recommended when the issue at hand is going to be decided on by a single entity, such as a government agency or committee, that is genuinely interested in learning about their constituents’ informed opinions and shared values." This is the sweet spot for library planning. Appropriate techniques include National Issues Forums, Deliberative Polling, 21st Century Town Meetings, Charrettes, and Consensus Conferences.
"Key features of decision making methods include unbiased “naming” of the issue and balanced framing of options, creating space for participants to weigh all options and consider different positions, and identifying the public’s core values around an issue."
Collaborative action empowers the group to make decisions and can even assign responsibility for results to the group or members thereof. It is appropriate when dealing with partners. This level of empowerment and offloading of responsibility seems a bit much for the public library / community relationship. Study Circles, Future Search, and Appreciative Inquiry work for collaborative situations.
There are so many facilitation techniques out there. It is useful to see them categorized like this so you know which ones fit your situation.
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