Who is a facilitator? Discuss the contributions of a team facilitator.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A facilitator is typically a neutral third party tasked with monitoring a team's process and helping improve its effectiveness. The facilitator focuses more on a team's process than on the content. 

The responsibilities of a facilitator vary from team to team, depending on the goals, technical requirements, duration, and employee makeup of that team.

Typically a facilitator can contribute in the following ways:
1) Helps teams define its goals and objectives and access needed resources to achieve them.
2) Helps members assess their needs and skills and create plans to meet and develop them.
3) Provides processes that help members use their time efficiently.
4) Guides discussions to keep them on track.
5) Ensures that assumptions are surfaced and tested.
6) Ensures that all members' opinions are shared and considered in decision-making processes.
7) Helps to create a positive, productive, and collaborative environment.
8) Models and teaches facilitative skills, helping the team diagnose its own processes and eventually become self-facilitating.
9) Ensures individual members take responsibility for team processes and outcomes.