Mediation/Facilitation - What's the Difference?
The field of alternative dispute resolution (which is where mediation and facilitation reside) is as riddled with jargon as any other field. We talk much too loosely about "consensus" and "stakeholders," without defining what we mean. We even create confusion over perfectly clear words like "agreement" or "interests."
To clarify what I think I am doing for a living, I would like to at least distinguish between mediation and facilitation. For me, mediation involves a conflict that needs resolution, while facilitation requires management of a process where participants have a common interest.
• A mediator helps those in conflict find a solution that is satisfactory to all involved. A typical mediation goes through stages: assessment of the situation, determination of the feasibility of a mediated agreement; selecting the parties; developing the process; information gathering; generating options; analysis; creating potential solutions; seeking consensus; future steps.
• A facilitator helps a group engage around a common goal.. The focus is a task – develop a land use plan, learn about hazardous waste disposal options, improve service delivery for an agency -- not resolution of a conflict. A typical facilitation involves a group of people and requires guidance of that group through education, discussion, and perhaps decision-making.
A mediator has specific conflict resolution skills, which may be very useful in any situation, including facilitation. The facilitator's skills may also cross-over and contribute to a mediation process. Common elements:
• Both the mediator and facilitator are unbiased with respect to the conflict, and serve all participants equally.
• They have no authority or stake in the substance of the outcome or decision.
• They are committed to managing a process that is inclusive, fair and respectful to all involved.
• Mediation or facilitation may involve 2 or 200 people, or more.
• The mediator and the facilitator are responsible for the process, including agendas and summaries.