Primary Purpose
Description
Workshops are task-oriented meetings organized around a specific topic or activity. They typically involve 25 or fewer people invited to work together to resolve issues, build consensus, or produce a product. Useful at any stage of the process, workshops are relatively short and focused meetings. While workshops may include presentations and displays, their focus is on interactive group work. You can design workshops as stand-alone events or they can be part of a larger meeting, conference or retreat. Workshops utilize small group discussions to identify strengths and weaknesses of a project or idea, generate ideas on a project, problem solve, build consensus on complex issues, or establish actionable timelines for project strategies and tasks.
Outcomes
Workshops are often task-focused and can produce reports, identify opinions, build consensus, and/or produce collaborative plans.
Time considerations
Workshops are usually one to three hours for small groups to work on a specific agenda.
Time required for planning and implementation varies from several weeks to several months depending on the size of the workshop and complexity of the issue or agenda.
With more complex or contentious issues, several workshops may need to be held over a several month period to work through the various aspects of a problem or conflict.
Staffing
Workshops can be designed and run by a single individual or a small team. Working with an experienced facilitator can be helpful in designing and running an effective workshop.
Materials
- Venue
- Moderator/facilitator
- Easel pads
- Props for working in groups (pens, paper, markers, etc.)
- Projection capability (computer, projector, etc.)