CF Strategic Planning Facilitation 2

Question 1

During a strategic planning retreat, a vocal executive keeps redirecting the group back to past failures. What is the BEST facilitator response?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the concern and use a 'parking lot' to revisit it later

Answer

A parking lot acknowledges the concern without derailing the current agenda, allowing the group to maintain forward momentum.

Question 2

Which environmental scanning framework is most commonly used in strategic planning facilitation to assess macro-level external forces?

Accepted Answer

PESTLE

Answer

PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) is designed specifically to scan macro-level external factors.

Question 3

A strategic planning group has generated 47 potential initiatives. What facilitation technique best helps narrow these to a manageable set?

Accepted Answer

Multi-voting (dot voting)

Answer

Multi-voting allows participants to allocate limited votes across options, quickly surfacing group priorities from a large list.

Question 4

When facilitating the 'goals' phase of strategic planning, a facilitator should ensure goals are distinguished from:

Accepted Answer

Operational tactics and action steps

Answer

Goals are broad outcome statements, while tactics and action steps are the specific operational activities used to achieve them.

Question 5

A nonprofit board is stuck debating two competing strategic directions. The facilitator should FIRST:

Accepted Answer

Explore the underlying interests and values driving each position

Answer

Surfacing underlying interests often reveals shared values that can bridge competing positions and open new creative options.

(CF) Certified Facilitator Practice Test