Review- The Workshop Book: From Individual Creativity to Group Action

  The Workshop Book: From Individual Creativity to Group Action by R. Brian Stanfield sets out a process for participatory workshops in a variety of settings.  The book outlines a process that can be used in a variety of settings to lead a group towards a consensus-oriented problem solving model.  His five steps are:
1.  Setting the context
2.  Brainstorming
3.  Clustering ideas
4.  Naming the clusters of ideas
5.  Symbolizing the resolve
He defines the five steps as follows:

1.  The context sets the stage for what is to follow.  It calls the group to attention.  It outlines the process and the timeline for the workshop.  It explains the product and the outcome.  It highlights the focus question.

2.  Brainstorming the ideas gathers all relevant data from the group and puts it in front of them.

3.  Clustering the ideas develops clusters of ideas and puts similar items of data together into related clusters 

4.  Naming gives each cluster of ideas a name.  Larger clusters or sub-clusters are identified and given names.  The result is a comprehensive picture of the ordered relationship of all ideas generated in the workshop.

5.  Resolving confirms the group's commitment to the decisions they have made and moves it to action.  The leader reads through the named clusters out loud and then holds a discussion to reflect on the workshop, using focused conversation questions.  Finally the group decides on the next steps, and how they will document the workshop results.  (26)

Throughout the book, Stanfield highlights principles of creating a participatory environment, writing "The workshop assumptions require respect, depth of listening and honouring of each participant.  They are the key to creating a more participatory, engaging workshop environment." (56)

     Stanfield's approach is simple, and avoids the possible complications of other participatory models which require the facilitator to master a variety of tools.  He explains how to apply the tool to groups of different sizes, and how to manage difficulties that may arise in workshops.  

     One possible criticism of the book is the title- the description of the process as a "workshop" can easily be misinterpreted as a training event, rather than a tool to facilitate discussion.  He does describe how the process can be developed into a series of discussions, which may more closely resemble a workshop.  However, the majority of the book focuses on the topic of facilitating group discussions.

     The Workshop Book is a helpful tool for those who facilitate groups of adults in educational or work settings.  It presents a simple, and yet powerful strategy that can be easily adapted to a variety of groups and situations.

The Workshop Book: From Individual Creativity to Group Action (ICA series)