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Documentation

Methods for Facilitating Effective Action

DOCUMENTATION

Documentation, Reporting, and Visual Imaging

of 

Group Processes and Results

Documentation is a life method used to capture the content of a project or an event as a reminder and guide for those who participated in what happened and for those who were not there, it gives information they may need to move forward. It makes the team’s thinking visible and by providing a recorded memory, prevents continually forgetting the decisions or accomplishments and needing to repeat the work. In addition, it validates the work done. 

 

It is important to document all facilitated sessions. Documentation also includes tracking the activities of the team/group working on a project. Documentation of the timeline of the project, project planning meetings and workshops enable tracking of project work and acknowledgment of teams and tasks. The level of sophistication or polish depends on each situation.

 

Documentation can also be used in creating funding proposals, jazzed up with graphics to create something for the public, or even to create videos. 

 

There are many ways to do documentation. See the examples below. It may simply capture the results or product in a report, at times be only a photograph of the flip charts from a brief meeting, or it can be turned into various forms of prose. Creating a story from the documentation captures the significance of the “eventfulness.” Retelling the story breathes life into the eventfulness and brings meaning to the work. 

Art of Documentation 

 

 

Project Documentation – An Example of a Food Co-op Launch

 

PROJECT PLANNING OVERVIEW

The Story of the Co-op Launch 2002

Food Co-op Project 3 Year Development Cycle 2002-2004

 

FOOD CO-OP ACTION PLANNING

Note: this event used the standard Technology of Participation (ToP)® ToP Action Planning process.

Victory

Current Reality

Commitment

Key Actions

Calendar, Coordination, & Resolve

The team created a timeline of these actions which were incorporated into the final 3-year development cycle.

Documenting

 

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT:  Co-Motion:  Empowering youth through skill training and community based project, Rachel Hefte Master’s Thesis (2002)

 

GRAPHIC FACILITATION:  Events may also be documented by a Graphic Facilitator. ToP Graphic Facilitation Courses

 

Coming Soon!

Actual image examples: Graphic Facilitation, flip charts from planning sessions, and more.

We often need today’s flip charts and other materials from a facilitated session for use tomorrow. If there isn’t CLEAR commitment from the venue’s staff not to touch it, you may find yourself dumpster diving the next morning!