Stage 4 - In-depth discussion

The evaluator then facilitates a discussion based on the scoring table. The function of the discussion is to get beneath the numbers to people's issues and views. The discussion is an open one and is based on a process which has been transparent and logical from the beginning. If the voting process was designed to ensure the people scored without regard to the views of others, this stage makes those involved listen to others and to value their opinions. It is East Oxford Action's experience that the democratic structure of the workshop means that there is less chance of programme staff either feeling threatened by the process or feeling the need to play power games. This is aided by the breaking down of the scoring into component parts for different criteria – as staff and others can see that scoring badly in one criterion does not mean a condemnation in others. Where tensions do arise these need to mediated by the evaluator, but they should not be ignored. The evaluator will often find themselves assisted in this by the other group members and where this happens the evaluator should encourage it – it is a sign that the group is beginning to take responsibility for the evaluation process.