Crafting engaging and productive workshops doesn’t have to be an insurmountable challenge. Our guide covers essential reads on conversation design, meeting productivity, and the art of group learning, alongside insightful articles, practical watchlists, and podcasts that delve into the nuances of workshop facilitation. Whether you’re a novice eager to learn the ropes or a seasoned professional seeking to refine your techniques, this collection is your go-to guide for creating workshops that not only educate but also inspire.
Read
Books
Facilitating Group Learning by George Lakey
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
The Workshop Survival Guide by Rob Fitzpatrick and Devin Hunt
https://www.amazon.com/Workshop-Survival-Guide-educational-workshops/dp/1071344374
“Designing and running a brilliant workshop is easier than you think. It’s not about flashy showmanship or natural charisma. Instead, it’s about following a set of clear, simple rules for structuring and arranging the day.”
Full of simple and effective techniques for planning workshop topics, prioritizing what to cover and what to skip, managing time for each topic, and facilitating to create an effective workshop for your audience.
Good Talk: How to Design Conversations that Matter by Daniel Stillman
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Talk-Design-Conversations-Matter/dp/9462763569
Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, and James Macanufo
https://www.amazon.com/Gamestorming-Playbook-Innovators-Rulebreakers-Changemakers/dp/0596804172
“This book includes more than 80 games to help you break down barriers, communicate better, and generate new ideas, insights, and strategies.”
Meeting Design by Kevin Hoffman
https://www.amazon.com/Meeting-Design-Managers-Makers-Everyone/dp/1933820381?crid=2R92HE03UEXT6&keywords=Meeting+Design&qid=1684887870&sprefix=meeting+design,aps,106&sr=8-1
“Meeting Design will teach you the design principles and innovative approaches you’ll need to transform meetings from boring to creative, from wasteful to productive.”
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034
Articles
Researching in small group workshops
https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/user-research/research-small-group-workshops
5 UX Workshops and When to Use Them: A Cheat Sheet
https://www.nngroup.com/articles/5-ux-workshops/
Facilitating UX Workshops: Study Guide
https://www.nngroup.com/articles/facilitating-ux-workshops-guide/
Consequence Scanning – an agile practice for responsible innovators
https://doteveryone.org.uk/project/consequence-scanning/
10 ways to get more from your UX workshop
https://boagworld.com/usability/10-ways-to-get-more-from-your-ux-workshop/
Watch
How smart teams create and train writers – with Scott Kubie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev25kxz2o8k
How We Jam: Facilitating a workshop, start to finish (Figma)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsdxDcInDu8
Listen
Design Life -— 185: Facilitating workshops with Jonathan Courtney (AJ&Smart)
https://www.designlife.fm/episode/185
UX Podcast episode 183 Meeting design with Kevin Hoffman
https://uxpodcast.com/183-meeting-design-kevin-hoffman/
UI Breakfast Podcast Episode 216: Meeting Facilitation with Douglas Ferguson
https://uibreakfast.com/216-meeting-facilitation-with-douglas-ferguson/
Do
Facilitation Lab -— Free event every Thursday, watch how others run live sessions or practice with a like-minded group of folks
https://voltagecontrol.com/events/
