Distractions

It is quite common for participants to go off-topic during workshops. This usually happens when people don’t have the right platform to make themselves heard. For example, your design discussion may be steered towards marketing efforts by a marketing team member who hasn’t had a chance to express their views outside of the workshop. As a facilitator, you should follow the following recommendations:

• Do not openly reprimand participants for going off-topic
• Try to identify the cause of distraction by asking the distractor to clarify their point
• Gently try to reframe the conversation if it becomes clear that it is off-topic

For example, you may ask the erring marketing team member to elaborate on why they believe marketing efforts must be discussed on priority. You never know; their answer might be relevant to your workshop’s goals! If it’s not, simply remind them to offer their suggestions on the topic being discussed at hand.^[1] You may also ask them to place their ideas in the parking lot for later discussion.