Cascading Facilitated Session Goals and Objectives

Determining process objectives for a facilitated session 

A process objective provides the necessary groundwork, planning, or context-setting to implement an idea. For example, a group may adapt a comprehensive plan to build a new research centre. In this case, the adaption of the plan is the process objective.  

Consider the non-tangible desired outcomes of the session (e.g., changed attitudes, consensus, novel ideas). Use the following key questions to clearly define the process objectives:  

• Who are the key stakeholders and/or partners that matter most?  
• How do you want to impact the participants throughout the session? 
• What do you want your participant’s key takeaways to be from the session? 
• If you have facilitated a session with these participants in the past, what has worked well? What could be improved? 

Determining the product objectives of a facilitated session 

A product objective is the desired outcome that the organization is attempting to achieve. For example, gathering a large group of faculty members at a conference center to exchange research best-practices. In this case, the attendance of faculty at a conference is the product objective.  

Consider the tangible desired outcomes of the session (e.g., report, document, manuscript). Use the following key questions to clearly define the product objectives:  

• What are you trying to accomplish through the facilitation? 
• Why are you trying to accomplish this? 
• What are your existing knowledge gaps? 
• What is preventing you from accomplishing your objectives?
• How will you measure success?