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SIN 874-2:
Facilitation Services

The NAHB Research Center proposes to provide professionally-trained, neutral parties for a wide range of Facilitation Services to Government clients engaging in collaboration efforts, working groups, or integrated product, process, or self-directed teams. The NAHB Research Center has extensive experience assisting Federal agencies organize, design, conduct / facilitate / moderate, analyze and report on housing-related working groups to develop and improve housing programs. We have performed facilitation services for HUD, DOE, FEMA, DOD, and EPA over the years with the goal of program development and improvement of their particular housing programs. We offer outstanding capabilities in the following areas:

  1. USE OF PROBLEM SOLVING TECHNIQUES
    • Apply structured problem solving methods based upon the plan, do, check, act framework. Select the most effective technique for solving specific problems based on size and type of group.
    • Facilitate teams in the problem solving process to arrive at consensus for action.
    • Validate decisions by providing fact finding studies and subject matter experts.
    • Plan a course of action by gaining an understanding of the nature and scope of the symptoms, identifying root causes and achieve consensus on preventive action.
    • Test proposed changes. Pilot promising solutions to large scale problems.
    • Validate the effectiveness of the solution and document benefits. Refine the solution based of the findings.
    • Incorporate techniques such as role-playing, brainstorming, mind-mapping, rating, ranking, grading, sentence completion, collage making, drawing, etc.

  2. RESOLVING DISPUTES, DISAGREEMENTS AND DIVERGENT VIEWS
    • Facilitate understanding of issues and viewpoints driving dispute or disagreement.
    • Develop consensus, when possible, for resolution of all or part of the issue.
    • Provide arbitration for making a decision among divergent leaders.
    • Document the issue resolution and bring all parties to commitment.

  3. PROVIDING A DRAFT FOR THE PERMANENT RECORD
    • Record minutes for permanent records.
    • Record discussions using most appropriate method (video, audio, computer-based, flip chart notes, secretary services).
    • Provide word-for-word transcripts or top-of-mind notes depending on agency needs and decision-making time frame.
    • Develop edited videotape providing summary or video transcript of facilitation process.

  4. DEFINING AND REFINING THE AGENDA
    • Work with client to define needs and develop draft agenda to best meet needs.
    • Prepare for and refine agenda during the meeting / working group depending on interaction of group members and changing needs.
    • Refine agenda for next in series of meetings / working groups.

  5. LOGISTICAL MEETING/CONFERENCE SUPPORT WHEN PERFORMING TECHNICAL FACILITATION
    • Locate and manage logistics for facilities for meetings and conferences.
    • Recruit the most appropriate attendees / experts for meetings on specific subjects.
    • Registering participants and attendees for conferences and meetings.

  6. RECORDING DISCUSSION CONTENT AND FOCUSING DECISION-MAKING
    • Record discussion content using the most appropriate method.
    • Assist focus decision-making.
    • Moderate focus groups.
    • Research the decision-making process as it relates to housing programs.

  7. DEBRIEFING AND OVERALL MEETING PLANNING
    • Plan meetings of all sizes for debriefings, focus groups, roundtables, forums, panel discussions, and conferences.
    • Develop close understanding of agency priorities and program interests.
    • Debrief agency clients immediately following group meetings and assess and plan next steps and financial alternatives.

  8. CONVENING AND LEADING LARGE AND SMALL GROUP BRIEFINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
    • Convene and lead focus group discussion on specific housing topics.
    • Convene and lead roundtables with twelve to thirty of the housing industry's leading experts on specific topics.
    • Lead panel discussions and open forums with up to 300 individuals on specific topics.

  9. PREPARING DRAFT AND FINAL REPORTS FOR DISSEMINATION
    • Prepare and revise reports based on client input.
    • Prepare content, graphics and production of final reports.
    • Disseminate reports to appropriate audiences through direct mail, public relations, and marketing.
    • Disseminate final results through the housing industry's leading communications infrastructure