A `Must--Have' For Facilitators, Project Leaders, and Decision-Makers

books:


	• Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making Sam Kaner, Lenny Lind, ... New Society Publishers, 1996 - 272 pages average customer review:based on 21 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

A must for all Agile Software Development team leaders!

In mentoring Project Managers, Agile Coaches, and Scrum Masters about the need to be facilitative, objective, and team-oriented, I have always recommended this book as a MUST READ. In fact, this book changed my work in the technical world of software development. Through Sam Kaner's very clear view of what good facilitators do to help teams move through the "Groan Zone", I found great depth in exercises and techniques for drawing out the true wisdom of software teams. The result is that I have relied upon these brainstorming, prioritizing, conflict management, and other divergence/convergence practices for creating great software organizations worldwide. It was a great resource for my own book Collaboration Explained: Facilitation Skills for Software Project Leaders (The Agile Software Development Series). And, as I continue to conduct training in agile team work or help organizations adopt a very participatory decision style for software development teams, I always recommend Kaner's book. Its approach and conviction around team power also plays wonderfully into the Lean concepts of "Empower the team" and "Amplify Learning". Facilitative leaders in software really can empower their teams and amplify their learning following Kaner's advice. Buy it!

for more information click here

A `Must--Have' For Facilitators, Project Leaders, and Decision-Makers

Regardless of your role, after reading The Facilitator's Guide your perspective on how to get the most out of group participation will be changed forever. Never again do you have to walk into a meeting unsure of what will be accomplished or whether the outcomes will be met. Using the tools provided (i.e. creating effective agendas, chartwriting, building sustainable agreements, and meeting closure), along with understanding how to apply the principles and values of participatory decision-making (i.e. full participation, mutual understanding, inclusive solutions, and shared responsibility) will completely energize both you and those you are working with. The material within this book is foundational to my own consulting practice, and clients rave about its usefulness, ease-of-understanding, and immediate application to their current situation. Regardless of what group dynamic you are dealing with, this book offers solid, effective, and transforming methods to re-vitalize the situation. After reading this book, words such as collaboration and partnering will take on new meaning in actionable ways. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to those within organizations wanting to more effectively involve and engage their employees.

Katherine A. Hart, EdD, Principal Consultant of KA Hart & Associates, BAodn Board Member, and ODN member

for more information click here

Would not be without it!

This book is a key resource for me when designing a facilitation session. It is a much depended on resource that has guided me through some challengeing situations. The section on Building Sustainable Agreements is full of wonderful techniques to help groups meet their goals. I have to mention the "Gradients of Agreement", this is an amazing tool for gaining group consensus. The Dynamics of Group Decision making is foundational knowledge for any facilitator. When I talk to groups about this they can really relate to the "Groan Zone".

The only facilitation book I really use

Without succumbing to ambiguous metaphors or descriptive processes, Dr. Kaner and his co-authors capture the nuts and bolts of relevant, useful facilitation skills. In clear, understandable language, he makes the concepts of this book available to newbies and the experienced alike. His diamond of group dynamics and linear diagram of the gradients of agreement are common sense approaches that allow groups to understand themselves. I have both used and recommended this book to hundreds of my peers as well as clients in many social sectors.

for more information click here

An excellent book about facilitating

I am a project manager that works closely with various stakeholders for solutions to business solutions and IT solutions. Many times I found it extremely hard to have people focus on needs instead of their wants. By using the different methods alternatively, it is relatively easy for me to explore what people's interests are, instead of what they want.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

This book provides the tools to put democratic values into practice in groups and organizations. Designed to help groups increase participation and collaboration, promote mutual understanding, honor diversity, and make effective, inclusive, participatory decisions, it is loaded with graphics, guidelines and hand outs, and presents more than 200 valuable tools and skills. It is perfect for managers, participants, seasoned practitioners, and students of working group dynamics.

for more information click here

hot