Lean Facilitation is a key part of Lean thinking, which aims to continuously improve, minimise waste and create value for the customer. The role of the Lean facilitator is to guide the team towards effective solutions while creating an environment where all participants can share ideas and feel part of the process. The aim is to develop not only process solutions, but also team spirit and commitment to a culture of continuous improvement.
For Lean change leaders, Green Belts and Black Belts, facilitation is a critical skill and an essential part of both Lean training as a change leader and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt training. A good facilitator can make the difference between a successful and a failed Lean workshop. Lean facilitation is much more than just process improvement - it is the key to organizational development and team motivation.
In this blog, we share eight practical tips to help you succeed as a Lean workshop facilitator and inspire your team towards better results.
1. Choose the right group composition
The key to the success of Lean workshops is the right composition of the group. The facilitator's role is to ensure in advance, with the owner of the process to be improved, that the group is composed of knowledgeable participants with different levels of experience. The more positive the group, the easier the facilitation will be. Select the most enthusiastic ones to participate, while offering them a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the development of the activity.
2. Create a motivating atmosphere
Right from the start, it is important to create an inspiring atmosphere that lasts throughout the session. Interactive starting methods that encourage everyone to participate (e.g. the Icebreaker exercises, which are widely available online) help to create an interactive environment. The role of an enthusiastic facilitator is contagious, and regular breaks help to maintain the energy level of participants.
Always start your sessions with an active activity or exercise to boost your energy levels. This will have an impact on the whole session.
3. Stimulate creativity when you run out of ideas
If your team seems stiff and out of ideas, try new facilitation methods. A reverse brainstorming session, where you think about how the problem is getting worse and think about solutions from that perspective, can be effective. Encourage open discussion and make sure that everyone's voice is heard. The facilitator should ask questions that provoke new ideas.
4. Deal with tensions and disagreements constructively
If you notice tensions or disagreements within the group, it is important to deal with them constructively. List the pros and cons of the proposals to help clarify the situation. Keep yourself neutral and agree on decision-making rules in advance. Consultative consensus, where decisions are made by consensus, can work well. If necessary, you can also use voting to make decisions.
5. Keep your focus in the right direction
If, as a facilitator, you are not sure whether the discussions are on track, check the objective. Set the target in advance with the Process Owner and hang the target up for all to see in the session. Make sure the objectives are clear and measurable, such as "reduce lead time by five days". Once a clear goal is visible, you can check together whether the discussion is helping to achieve the goal. If the discussion gets sidetracked, use the "parking lot" technique to move less relevant topics aside.
Make sure your goals are clear and measurable.
6. Control the dominators of the conversation
If you find that one or two participants are dominating the discussion, use methods that encourage everyone to participate. A silent brainstorming session where everyone shares their thoughts in writing before the discussion can be useful. Agree on clear rules of the game and distribute the contributions evenly so that everyone has a chance to express their views.
7. Keep your energy levels high
If you are a facilitator, you should be enthusiastic and inspiring to get people involved. Enthusiasm doesn't always come naturally and your energy level may be low.
I got this tip from my own coach when I was starting my career and wondered about the endless enthusiasm of a colleague who was nearing retirement:
"Always try to do something in a new way so you stay sharp. For example, change the introductory exercise in a workshop or brainstorm with a different technique. It doesn't have to be a big change, even a small change helps you stay sharp and also keeps your enthusiasm and energy levels high."
Remember to smile and look excited 😊.
8. A break is the golden solution
If you don't know how to proceed, adopt the "golden rule" and take a 10-minute break. Getting out of the situation usually helps you to see more clearly how to proceed. Just being aware of this possibility gives you the confidence and courage to facilitate.
Facilitating lean workshops is challenging but rewarding. A good facilitator can help a team achieve its goals effectively while building collaboration between participants.
We hope these tips will help you to develop as a facilitator and succeed in improving your Lean processes. Good luck and good luck with your Lean workshops!
Click on the links below for training options where you can learn more about Lean Facilitation and process improvement using Lean Six Sigma:
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt training
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training
- Lean training to become a change manager
Greetings in the spirit of Lean Facilitation,
Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
