Novice facilitators and the use of scripts for managing facilitated modelling workshops

Abstract

There is limited research on the use of scripts by novice facilitators (novices) in Facilitated Modelling (FM) workshops. To address this gap, this paper illustrates how novices—supported by scripts—switch between and combine facilitation skills and competencies to successfully manage FM workshops and achieve outcomes. This illustration is based on a micro-level analysis of a transcript from a Viable System Model workshop held in a food cooperative in Copenhagen, Denmark. Through our findings we identify two distinct script-supported FM behaviours and related script-supported facilitation practices that enable novices to (a) acquire skills and competencies; and (b) switch between and combine skills and competencies to successfully manage workshops and achieve outcomes. Our study links micro-level considerations to a meta-level framework that relates the script-supported FM behaviours and practices to different workshop outcomes, thereby extending script-supported FM theory. Best practice guidelines for the development and use of scripts by novices are also provided.

Keywords:

• problem structuring methods
• soft OR
• facilitated modelling
• scripts
• novice facilitator viable system model

Notes

1 The names of participants are not revealed for confidentiality reasons.