Glossary F

Facilitator

A facilitator serves a discussion group by keeping the discussion focused, helping the group consider a variety of views, process difficult questions and move towards desired goals.

Feedback

Methods of communicating the output or outcome of consultations to those who participated.

Feedback Form

A dialogue method whereby an information leaflet or other communication with a target group contains a section or other provision for individuals or organisations to provide comments or reactions for consideration by a consultor.

Film

Film can be used in two ways. As a method of presentation of consultation issues and also as a way, as with Theatre & Drama, of enabling people to express their views on issues.

Fishbowl Technique

A technique used to increase participation and understanding of issues. The fishbowl represents an inner group of participants in a roundtable format involved in a decision making process that is 'witnessed' by a larger group who have the opportunity for input and questioning.

Focus Group

A dialogue method whereby a discussion group is assembled for the purpose of explaining participants’ views and attitudes to a structured set of questions and issues and normally chaired by a trained facilitator.

See also Short Life Focus Groups also Delphi Technique

Notes:

• For public and stakeholder consultations Focus Groups are popular form of qualitative input, helpful to consultors in identifying issues and the range of opinions held by different types of individuals or stakeholders
• The effectiveness of focus groups as a tool of consultation often depends upon the quality of the notes made and the conclusions reached.  It can also depend upon the way that qualitative methods such as Focus Groups are linked to quantitative methods

Future Search

1. A dialogue method involving a conference or meeting where a shared vision for the future of a community or organisation is discussed and created. It will include a formulation of an action plan.

2. A strategic planning process used world-wide in diverse cultures to achieve shared goals and fast action, future search leads to cooperative planning that lasts for years. Future search  is a planning meeting that helps people transform their capability for action very quickly. The meeting is task-focused. It brings together 60 to 80 people in one room or hundreds in parallel rooms. Future search brings people from all walks of life into the same conversation - those with resources, expertise, formal authority and need. They meet for 16 hours spread across three days. People tell stories about their past, present and desired future. Through dialogue they discover their common ground. Only then do they make concrete action plans. The meeting design comes from theories and principles tested in many cultures for the past 50 years. It relies on mutual learning among stakeholders as a catalyst for voluntary action and follow-up.