Parker Duignan Client Comments
Facilitation Client
Quotes
Senior Public Sector Manager on using an Independent Chair
"Having Paul chair the meeting means that I am able to concentrate on
the technical content of the meeting, while he ensures that we are on
time, that closure is achieved on discussion and that we move on. He is
particularly good at rapidly summarizing the details of a debate in
order for the meeting to resolve a position, even in areas in which he
does not have specific technical knowledge. His independence means that
the participants can feel that their views have been listened to and on
occasion enables me to be more forthright about our position that I
could if I had to also chair the meeting. As a bonus, from time to
time, he also manages to inject some appropriate humour into the
meeting which helps us keep attentive to what are often dry and
technical discussions. Initially we thought that getting someone of
high status from the particular sector would be the best idea, but in
retrospect Paul’s independence from both the sector and us has proved
to be very useful."
IT Manager
"Restructuring our Department it was essential that the team owned the
planning process. Using Paul as an outside facilitator meant that I
could have my say and so could the team. I'm sure I heard more
from
them than if I'd chaired the planning workshop myself. At the end of
the three days the team had worked through the issues and owned the new
organisational structure. The quality of Paul's facilitation met
all of
my expectations."
NGO Director
"We were keen to run workshops which both taught project planning
skills and allowed sufficient time for participants to discuss the
practicalities of their particular projects. In a series of workshops
around the country Paul consistently met these objectives with a
diverse range of participants and fully met our expectations for expert
facilitation."
Facilitation Participant's Feedback
Verbatim quotes
on Paul Duignan's facilitation from workshop participants.
Fast resolution of
issues
"I can't believe how much you were able to get us through in limited
time". "It went easily and took less time than expected."
A structured workshop process
"It was actively facilitated (not laid back), structured, objectives
laid out." "Led and structured with intelligence."
Awareness of group dynamics
"Paul was easily able to slot into group dynamics." "Picked up the mood
of the meeting - pitched the speed of the day."
Input from team members who normally remain silent
"The facilitator was sensitive to issues that, sometimes, were not
necessarily clearly stated by participants." "I think you picked up on
non-verbals to encourage people to have input...which is good as even
in a forum such as this there are some individuals reluctant to speak
out."
No time wasted on side issues
"Suggestions were offered [by the facilitator] to overcome situations
when we were stuck but they were not imposed on the group." "Proactive,
saw the way we were heading, didn't allow us to get bogged down, led us
along the way."
An enjoyable workshop experience for participants
"Thanks for making the day enjoyable." "Open relaxed forum - confident
to express views. Frequent breaks - avoided monotony or boredom." "This
is the first time I have ever given a 10! I am a stern critic,
generally difficult to please, however this workshop suited my needs
exactly, practically based and well presented."
Group members buying into the workshop outcome
"Made sure everyone was agreed before proceeding to next point." "An
excellent session all-round. I feel really good about what we achieved,
learnt and discussed."
Verbatim quotes
on Jennifer Parker's facilitation from workshop
participants. (Anonymous, written feedback)
“Great – very informative. Gave support and guidance,
kept the team focused. Good sense of humour.”
“Very easy style to work with.”
"Very good. Positive. Fun. Relaxed. Good
time structure and moving along the day."
“Friendly. Kept the discussion moving.”
“Good facilitation. Kept
control of all situations.”
"Good presentation. Good use of hands and voice. Not
boring."
"Good: very high energy level."
"Jennifer was excellent. Answered questions appropriately.
Spoke
clearly and was energetic in her approach."
"Very good, progressed meeting well and kept groups on target."
"Good value – enthusiasm and a “can do” attitude is
appreciated."
Quotes from a Strategic Planning Workshop
Verbatim quotes
on Jennifer Parker's facilitation from ALL eleven workshop
participants. (Anonymous, written feedback)
"Jennifer, you did
extremely well in bringing a group or exceptionally different people
(volunteers) together to focus on a way forward. Congratulations
for that. I enjoyed your ‘up” and “bubbly” personality."
"Excellent facilitation.
Right personality for the job. Kept on target/ no time for
waffle."
"You were a great
facilitator. Good timekeeping."
"Very good, kept my thought
processes going."
"Very well done."
"Very good."
"Very good."
"Very professional
presentation."
"Wonderfully presented, thank
you."
"Good."
"Really enjoyable. I was
sceptical and negative before we started. You worked magic."
Evaluation
Workshop
Participants' Quotes
Training Course Participant Feedback
Course Evaluations from all participants from a two day evaluation
training course.
[This feedback was by way of anonymous written comments from all
participants collected after the first and second day of the
course]
First Day Evaluations
"Very enlightening. Will help in planning for the future. Has made
things very clear. Looking forward to planning tomorrow."
"I found this day exciting as I knew I'd learnt a lot. Its been
wonderful."
"Enjoyed the practical implementation of information and knowledge form
your model of evaluation. Has definitely exceeded my expectations.
Thank you. Can't wait to start on my own project."
"OK."
"Really brilliant day. We learnt absolutely heaps! Your presentation
skills are relaxed, informative and very approachable. I have had real
problems with the concept of objective setting in the past and I
believe you have made this so much clearer. I look forward to tomorrow."
"Excellent day. Working at good rate. Understanding evaluation. Feeling
relaxed. Looking forward to tomorrow."
"Excellent format, pace and delivery style. Thank you for sharing your
expertise with us all."
"I am finding the information essential and appreciate the practical
components. I have realised that putting the theory into practice is
not as easy as it seems. The evaluation booklet is very much
appreciated."
"Today was extremely worthwhile. Your quiet relaxed style helped to
make the day most informative. I learned heaps. Thank you."
"All this is new to me. I am happy with how things are going. I have no
other comments except thanks."
"Enjoyed the first day particularly the formative evaluation process.
Found the part after afternoon tea a bit long, but that was probably
the time of day. Facilitating style good. Lots of useful information."
"I have learned a lot from today's session. Some short breaks."
"Now realise evaluation is part of whole process and not at the end.
Very interesting day and well paced."
"I found the day very helpful. It went at a good pace and your
presentation is excellent. My knowledge is consolidating."
"It has been great - really informative and at a good speed. Its also
really good to have practical examples."
"Day went well. Good pace. Great for learning."
"Really enjoyed the day. Very helpful and informative. Good pace, good
level of information."
Second Day Evaluations
What did you think there should have been more of?
"Breaks. Planning strategies."
"It would have been good to actually complete a programme e.g. to go
onto strategies."
"Well balanced for a beginner!"
"Time to work on project."
"At least one more day as I felt at the end you were rushed due to time
factor."
"Time! Ideally this would be a longer workshop. I realise though that
this is unrealistic, so do not expect this to happen. I appreciate the
booklet because it will cement the knowledge for me."
"Maybe a bit more time to do the goals and objectives etc. for our
individual projects - Tuesday afternoon seemed a bit rushed."
"I think the program covered all aspects of the planning of a
programme."
"Practical design of projects and evaluation."
"An extra day to reinforce new knowledge. More fun activities."
"I got plenty of what I needed thanks."
"Felt two days was quite rushed - however the resources I'm sure
consolidate this."
"Wide range of theory - practical tasks made evaluation interesting
with an opportunity to put theory into practice."
"Would like more planning of projects with your input."
What do you think there should have been less of?
"Amount of working in groups was OK but should have been shorter time
to do it"
"No time to do less of anything."
"Nothing."
"The two days were fine."
"Nothing."
Comments on facilitation style?
"Ensure a few breaks."
"Fine."
"Good clear understood the theory more and now will be able to put
formative and process evaluation into projects."
"Relaxed and easy to work with. Thanks"
"Very theoretical, clearly understood. Very informative."
"I appreciated the practical examples and the tasks set. I was
comfortable with the facilitator's style."
"Great thank you. Practical examples were excellent."
"Very easy to listen and to understand."
"Good facilitator."
"The two days were fine."
"Good. Relaxed. Very easy to ask questions."
"Excellent - went at a good pace. I have learnt so much about
evaluation."
"Excellent relaxed two days. I have learned heaps and sorry this
workshop was not earlier in my health promotion career."
"You made things very clear."
"Excellent. There was a good variety of different deliveries. I thought
group work was really useful."
Any other comments?
"A refresher workshop."
"Very practical and useful."
"Excellent couple of days, at times very exhausting, a lot of
information to take in over two days. Needed longer."
"Any chance of further workshops on programme planning and evaluation?"
"Really valuable couple of days."
"The workshop has made things much clearer and useable."
"I found it hard to stay focused on second day I would have appreciated
a little more activity. Very beneficial."
"Really enjoyed the two days. I learnt heaps. Made sense of what I half
knew."
"A great two days."
"I've learnt a great deal from you. I think you're absolutely
wonderful."
Evaluation Peer
Review Quote
Comments on Dr Paul Duignan's
Evaluation Peer Reviewing.
"We asked Dr Paul Duignan to provide a peer review of an
evaluation plan and associated documentation. We did this as a matter
of good practice; and also to ensure that we avoided unnecessary
mistakes and pitfalls.
Using the documents, supplemented by some discussion with us, Paul
provided us with an overall assessment of our proposed evaluation
methods, specific questions for us to answer, and suggestions for
improvement.
We found the questions and suggestions very useful in clarifying and
improving our methods - and in making better use of the time within
which the evaluation was to be completed. The particular value of
the suggestions lay in the fact that they were clearly drawn from
actual experience and had therefore been well-tested."
Training Development
Quote
Commments on Jennifer Parker's
training development work.
"It is a pleasure to work with someone so informed, passionate and
excited..."
"Your expertise in training together with your dual understanding of
government and community sector issues are a rare combination - one
that [this agency] was fortunate to benefit from."
"Thank you for your professionalism, humour and energy - I thoroughly
enjoyed working with you, Jen."
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