Facilitating alignment workshops

Alignment workshops bring diverse stakeholders together to reach consent or consensus on product direction.

Success depends on careful facilitation:

• Start by setting clear objectives and ground rules. Everyone should understand what decisions need to be made and how they'll be made.
• Use structured activities to drive productive discussions. Techniques like affinity mapping, dot voting, or "How Might We" exercises channel debate into actionable outcomes.^[1]
• Time-box discussions to maintain momentum. When groups get stuck, use breaks strategically to let tensions cool.
• Document decisions and next steps in real-time where everyone can see them. This prevents revisionist history later.
• End workshops with clear action items, owners, and deadlines.
• Send follow-up notes within 24 hours while discussions are fresh.

The goal isn't just alignment in the room but sustained alignment afterward.