Assessing the status of a group
from Facilitating with Ease
 When meeting a new group, the facilitator will need to ask certain questions to determine the state of the group.
 
  • What’s the history of the group?
  • How familiar are members with each other?
  • Are there clear goals?
  • Are there team norms or rules?
  • Does everyone participate or do a few dominate?
  • To what extent are members honest and open?
  • Do members listen to and support each other’s ideas?
  • How does the group handle any conflicts?
  • How are important decisions made?
  • Do people leave meetings feeling like something has been achieved?
  • How would you describe the group atmosphere? 
  • Are meetings thoroughly planned and structured or are they basically freewheeling?
  • Does the group ever stop to evaluate how it’s doing and make corrections?
  • What’s the best thing about the group? What’s the worst?
  • How do people feel about being part of this group?
  • Describe a recent incident that illustrates how members typically interact.
  • Are there any reasons why members might not be open and say what they really think?
  • Why do you need (external) facilitation support? Is there any opposition to this?
  • What’s the worst thing that could happen at this meeting? What could be done to ensure that this doesn’t happen?

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