Designing a Workshop: Practical Steps and Tips for Effective Training Sessions

Hi,

Though many people have asked, I saw no practical information on how to develop and design a workshop. I hope this helps. Please feel free to add your feedback or improvements. I also have a lot to learn.

Thank you.

To design a training program, first finalize the topic and its objectives, time for the workshop, and the number of participants.

Once you are clear with the objectives of the program, line them up. For example, if the topic is self-esteem:

Objectives:

1. Self-Appraisal
2. Self-Analysis
3. Self-Acceptance
4. Self-Appreciation
5. Identification of negative self-talk
6. Positive self-talk
7. Implementation of positive self-talk
8. Positive Self-Esteem

Now, based on the time and number of participants, the objectives have to be explained or implemented through practice using methods like games, quizzes, discussions, write-ups, examples, etc.

In the end, do not forget to complete the workshop with a wrap-up session that reviews the objectives of the workshop in one go.

Best of luck.

Ciao,
Vinisha

Hi Vinisha,

Your email has provided the information I was looking for. Can you please share some techniques on how to reach out to more people and attract a larger audience for the workshops?

Smita

Dear Smita,

To reach out and attract more people for workshops is more of marketing. It depends on which level/category you are looking for – school level or corporate level. If you are looking for students/children, it would be advisable to advertise in and around schools and colleges. And if you are looking at the corporate level, I would advise you to first tie up with a good number of corporates to conduct workshops within their premises and then use the brands in your advertisements.

Ciao, Vinisha

Hi Vinisha,

What kind of workshop do you want to conduct? Please provide details regarding the purpose, target age group, and any other relevant information.

Regards,
Priya

It is not very clear what type of workshop is proposed to be organized, i.e., an awareness workshop, problem-solving workshop, or performance improvement workshop.

i) Define the objective of the workshop, i.e., what is intended to be achieved after the workshop, or define the problem or performance issues.

ii) In case of difficulty at stage (i), consult experts/the department concerned through informal interviews or structured questionnaires. (Spend time on stages (i) and (ii) for ultimate success.)

iii) Identify the target group or level of participants, whether vertical or horizontal teams or mixed teams.

iii) Design workshop sessions/contents as suggested below (depending upon the objectives of the workshop):

iv) Opening remarks/address by an expert on the subject.

v) Presentation by participants (in a team or as individuals) on the issues to be addressed, i.e., sharing of issues, concerns, and existing approaches/ways of dealing with things.

vi) Summarize learning points after the presentation at (v).

vii) Give inputs on problems identified and provide input on problem-solving tools or guide the group in finding possible solutions to identified problems or issues.

viii) Make groups, depending upon the identified issues, for brainstorming and action planning.

ix) Presentation of action plans to a panel of experts or to the entire group of participants for refining action plans. Circulate action plans among the participants or HoDs so that resources are made available during implementation.

xi) Follow-up of action plans at least after six months.

xi) Document the results.

This way, one can design a workshop of a duration of more than one day to four days. Awareness workshops should not exceed one or one and a half days.

Please try and give feedback.

Best wishes,

V. K. Sharma

Salaam (peace)

While the information above is useful, is there an E-book on this site that lists the times for the various sections covered in the workshop?

Salaam,

Muneer