SM a Facilitator LOs

2.1 identify at least three indicators when a group is engaged in divergent thinking and at least three indicators when a group is engaged in convergent thinking.

Examples: The most referred-to standard on group facilitation is [Sam Kaner: Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision Making]. Examples for divergent thinking” would be: generating a list of ideas, free flowing open discussion, seeking diverse points of view, and suspending judgement. Indicators for “convergent thinking” would be: sorting ideas into categories, summarizing key points, coming to agreement, and exercising judgement.

2.2 identify at least three challenges of integrating multiple perspectives.

Example challenges of integrating multiple perspectives: People thinking out loud, realization of consequences of rejection, different emotional setups, discomfort, and risk of escalation. Free-flowing challenges might be: the “Groan Zone” (see Sam Kaner: Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision Making), lacking in one or more of the “Seven Cs of Communication” (Cutlip and Center).

2.3 apply at least two facilitative listening techniques for effective meetings/events.

Examples of facilitative listening techniques: Paraphrasing, mirroring, making space, stacking [Kaner].

2.4 demonstrate at least two alternatives to open discussion.

Examples of alternatives to open discussion: Structured go-arounds, individual writing, listing ideas, dialogue in pairs or small groups.

2.5 describe two examples when the Scrum Master should not act as the facilitator for the Scrum Team.

Examples when the Scrum Master should not act as the facilitator include situations where the Scrum Master cannot hold a neutral, positive, resourceful facilitator stance. The situations can be provided by the students or Educator.

2.6 design and facilitate at least two collaborative events.

Examples: The collaborative events can be Scrum Events. In order to fulfil this Learning Objective, we would expect some practical demonstration or evidence from the student’s practice.

2.7 select at least one strategy to resolve obstacles to clear communication.

Example obstacles to clear communication: repetition, boredom, emotional response, unrelatedness, distraction. Strategies to resolve: participatory listening techniques [Kaner] like paraphrasing, calling somebody out, validating, linking, acknowledging emotions.

2.8 create a working agreement to foster clear communication and teamwork.

Example of a working agreement: a collection of behavioral rules created by a team, e.g., “Start and end meetings on time.”