A powerful, proven collection of structured facilitation methods that transform the way groups think, talk and work together — enabling inclusive, meaningful collaboration that leads to real outcomes.
Facilitation is something many of us are called on to do in our day-to-day work as we lead meetings, manage projects, or organise people to get work done. At the core, a facilitator takes responsibility to plan and manage the process that will help a group to achieve their goals.
Without skilled facilitation, meetings easily fall into cross-talk that goes nowhere, or a few voices dominate while others feel excluded. A good facilitator ensures everyone is heard, contributions build toward shared outcomes, and the group leaves with clarity and ownership.
Technology of Participation (ToP)™ is a collection of structured facilitation methods that enable highly energised, inclusive and meaningful group collaboration leading to successful outcomes.
ToP™ methods recognise and honour contributions from all group members, identify commonalities, pool contributions into useful patterns — all while welcoming diversity and minimising conflict. The paradox of these methods is that they provide a structured approach to participation while enabling greater freedom of expression and voice.
Most groups have experienced unfacilitated meetings. The results are predictable — and preventable.
Group ownership of decisions moves the group toward action. When people shape outcomes, they implement them.
ToP™ methods produce better decisions by drawing on the wisdom of the whole group, not just the dominant voices.
Shared methods and a structured process build team cohesion and improve ongoing working relationships.
Without consistent and authentic engagement, change projects flounder. ToP™ builds the ownership that sustains change.
ToP methods were developed by The Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) — a leader over the past five decades in promoting lasting positive change in organisations and communities around the world. Crafted over 60 years of global action-research, they go beyond "tips and tricks" to empower profound and lasting transformation.
ToP™ plays well with others — it enriches and strengthens Six Sigma, Lean, Agile, Scrum, Design Thinking, Collective Impact, Results-Based Accountability, Asset-Based Community Development, and many more.
ToP™ training is hands-on, fun and rigorous — giving you the chance to practice and get feedback in a high-energy, supportive environment.
See experienced facilitators model the methods in real-time, so you understand not just what to do but why each step matters.
Practise facilitation with real groups, then debrief with peers and coaches. You will leave with confidence to apply skills immediately.
Each course includes a detailed participant manual — tools, tips, examples and step-by-step guides you will return to again and again.
Every participant leaves each course with an hour of free expert coaching to support their practice in the real world.
Training is made affordable for individuals and organisations of all sizes. Explore public courses or request a customised in-house training.
Go further by pursuing ToP™ certification and joining the wider ToP Network of practitioners across the globe.
The five values that underpin every ToP™ method and make participatory facilitation transformative.
Structured techniques that surface contributions from everyone and shape them into shared understanding.
A clear pathway from shared ideas to decisions the whole group owns and carries into concrete action.
Long-range strategy built with the people who will live it — for lasting ownership and implementation.