The Workshop Book

Part 1. The Consensus Workshop Method

1. Why Use the Consensus Workshop Method?

2. Some Background

3. The Consensus Workshop As Life Method

     ICA/ ToP™ methods

     Four phases

     An example of the method in action

     Five steps

4. Two Approaches to the Consensus Workshop

     The cards approach

     The flip chart approach

Part 2. The Finer Points of the Consensus Workshop

5. The Context: Orienting the Group

     The Workshop Assumptions

     The Workshop Book

6. Brainstorming: Harvesting the Group's Ideas 

     Brainstorming using a flip-chart

     Possible pitfalls

     The facilitator's disciplined clarification of data

7. Clustering Ideas: Order out of Chaos

     The intent of clustering

     Traps in clustering

     The clustering principle

8. Naming: One Concept from Many Ideas

     The procedures

9. Step 5: Symbolizing the Resolve

     Optional follow-up steps after a consensus workshop

Part 3. Workshop Leadership

10. Design and Preparation of a Consensus Workshop 

     Assessing the group's techniques and situation

     Creating a focus question

     Orchestrating the process

     Personal prep

     Rehearsing the facilitator's stance

11. The Style of the Workshop Facilitator

     The workshop facilitator's job

     Launching a consensus workshop

     Facilitator competencies

     The fundamental requirement

     The paradox of facilitators

     Facilitation by the boss or the expert

     Be the one you are

12. Challenges That Stretch the Facilitator

     Difficult people or difficult behaviors

     Using the method to deal with the issues

13. Time, Space, Mood and Group

     Managing time effectively

     Managing space

     Managing the mood: creating eventfulness

     Managing the group: using short courses

Part 4. Consensus Workshop Applications

14. Using the Consensus Workshop Method with Various Group Sizes

     A. Workshop for an individual

     B. Workshop for a small group of two to four

     C. Workshop for a group of five to 40

     D. Workshop for a group of 40 to 100

     E. Workshop for a group over 100

15. Using the Consensus Workshop Method in a Series 

     Model-building consensus workshop series

     ToP™ Planning Series

Appendix 1. Building Consensus

Appendix 2. Examples of Focus Questions

Appendix 3. ICA: Its Mission and Locations