The International Institute for Facilitation conducted a research project to help define the knowledge, skills and experiences a facilitator should possess to consistently lead outstanding facilitated sessions.  Over 450 facilitators and clients responded to the survey.

• The research project included a survey which presented respondents with a definition of an outstanding facilitated session.
• The survey invited the respondents to add to or modify the definition.
• The survey asked respondents to rate the importance of 57 skills in achieving an outstanding facilitated session. The researchers compiled the skills based on a review of existing facilitator competency models and facilitator training curriculums.
• The survey also gave the respondents the opportunity to add to the list of skills.

The researchers used the ratings and comments to finalize the 6 competencies and 30 sub-competencies that make up the Master Facilitator Competencies. The acronym “PAC³E” is used to describe the competencies.

A copy of the survey report may be downloaded by clicking here.

For permission to use our competencies please contact the INIFAC office at 1-703-909-8810.

Master Facilitators bring “PAC³E” to every engagement.

A. Presence

Master Facilitators bring compassion and authority to the room. Through their verbal and non-verbal expression, they exude confidence, energy and self-awareness while also conveying a high level of warmth and caring. They make adjustments in their style to better serve the group.

B. Assessment

Master Facilitators know and ask the questions necessary to accurately assess a client need. Based on their learning from past experiences, they create processes designed to address the client’s specific requirements. They carefully plan and prepare sessions. They recognize when a planned process is not working effectively and are able to define alternative processes quickly to reach the desired outcome.

C. Communication

Master facilitators are skilled communicators. They actively listen, making sure to playback and confirm important points. They have highly-tuned analytic skills which allow them to process information quickly, differentiate various content issues and isolate critical points in a discussion. They ask questions that help groups to engage effectively. They deliver instructions that are accurate, clear and concise. They effectively identify and verbally summarize agreements.

D. Control

Master Facilitators create and maintain a productive and safe environment in which participants with diverse styles and culture can engage in interactions that stay focused on achieving the goal. They maintain control of the session and an appropriate pace. They understand causes of disagreement and can effectively guide a group through conflict. They consciously take action to prevent, detect and resolve dysfunctional behavior.

E. Consistency

Master Facilitators understand and consistently apply best practice techniques for such activities as starting the session, focusing the group, recording information, and closing the session.

F. Engagement

Master Facilitators know and use multiple techniques for engaging a group, problem solving, decision-making, promoting creativity and raising energy.

The Sub-competencies

A. Presence
	A1.	Facilitator projects confidence in own skills and own ability to lead the group.
	A2.	Facilitator demonstrates warmth and caring.
	A3.	Facilitator understands the impact of energy on participants and facilitates in a style appropriate for the audience and the session topic.
	A4.	Facilitator makes adjustments in own style and language to adjust to the group.
	A5.	Facilitator demonstrates awareness of own strengths and weaknesses.
B. Assessment
	B1.	Facilitator asks the questions to assess a client need and gains agreement with the client on the relevant scope and products.
	B2.	Facilitator plans and prepares for the session effectively and collaboratively.
	B3.	Facilitator develops customized processes to meet the specific requirements of clients.
	B4.	Facilitator recognizes when a planned process is not working effectively and is able to diagnose the cause, and defines alternative processes to reach desired outcomes.
	B5.	Facilitator evaluates experiences, identifies learnings and applies learnings to new situations.
C. Communication
	C1.	Facilitator actively listens, making sure to playback and confirm important points.
	C2.	Facilitator demonstrates the ability to process information quickly, differentiate content issues, and isolate critical points in a discussion.
	C3.	Facilitator asks appropriate focusing questions that help groups to engage effectively.
	C4.	Facilitator asks appropriate follow-up questions that clarify, probe and redirect.
	C5.	Facilitator delivers instructions that are accurate, clear and concise.
	C6.	Facilitator effectively identifies and verbally summarizes agreements.
D. Control
	D1.	Facilitator creates and maintains a productive environment in which participants engage in interactions that stay focused on achieving the goal.
	D2.	Facilitator creates and maintains a safe environment for people to speak openly without fear of retribution.
	D3.	Facilitator creates and maintains an environment that takes into account and fosters respect for diverse cultures and styles.
	D4.	Facilitator maintains an appropriate pace and manages the group’s time during the session.
	D5.	Facilitator demonstrates techniques for effectively guiding a group through conflict to consensus.
	D6.	Facilitator takes action to prevent, detect and address dysfunctional behavior.
E. Consistency
	E1.	Facilitator understands and consistently applies best practice techniques for starting the session.
	E2.	Facilitator understands and consistently applies best practice techniques for focusing and controlling the group.
	E3.	Facilitator understands and consistently applies best practice techniques for recording information.
	E4.	Facilitator understands and consistently applies best practice techniques for closing the session.
F. Engagement
	F1.	Facilitator knows and uses multiple techniques and tools for keeping a group engaged in the work and interacting.
	F2.	Facilitator knows and uses multiple techniques and tools for problem solving and decision-making.
	F3.	Facilitator knows and uses multiple techniques and tools for promoting creativity.
	F4.	Facilitator knows and uses multiple techniques and tools for impacting energy.