Open Facilitation Library

Jigsaw: Facilitation Research & Typology

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Jigsaw: Facilitation Research & Typology

Date: October 28, 2025 Speakers: Emily Saltz, Ian Beacock, Beth Goldberg (Google Jigsaw) Duration: ~67 minutes

Overview

The Jigsaw team presented findings from their facilitation research, revealing a typology of structured conversations and insights from interviews with 22 expert facilitators globally.

Typology of Structured Conversations

Three distinct types identified:

1. Transformative Conversations

  • Focus on relationship repair
  • Emotional processing central
  • Requires deep trust and safety

2. Generative Conversations

  • Ideation and creativity
  • Divergent thinking encouraged
  • Building new possibilities

3. Deliberative Conversations

  • Decision-focused
  • Weighing options and trade-offs
  • Working toward actionable outcomes

Each type requires distinct facilitation approaches.

Key Research Findings

Pre-Conversation Work is Critical

  • Most important facilitation happens before the conversation
  • Aligning processes with clear objectives
  • Preparing materials and participants

Facilitator Tools

Current tools used by facilitators include:

  • Google Docs for collaborative work
  • AI applications like ChatGPT for preparation
  • Various digital platforms for engagement

AI’s Role

AI enhances workflows without replacing core human tasks:

  • Preparation and synthesis
  • Pattern recognition
  • Documentation

Strategic Facilitator Capabilities

Facilitators need to:

  • Maintain decision openness - Keep options alive until appropriate
  • Foster group cohesion - Build connections across differences
  • Emphasize the bigger picture - Connect discussions to larger purpose

Jigsaw’s Role

Described as a “nimble incubator” focusing on:

  • Research partnerships
  • Supporting civic discourse
  • Developing tools for deliberation

Open Facilitation Library

Discussion of developing a library to:

  • Codify facilitation techniques
  • Make patterns machine-readable
  • Ensure alignment with core facilitation values

Collaboration Opportunities

  • Digital Commons Portland gathering
  • Metagov civic tech community
  • Continued research partnerships

Key Insight

“Facilitation is not just about what happens in the room—it’s about everything that makes the conversation possible.”

Resources

  • Jigsaw AI facilitation research report
  • Facilitation and AI report for Metagov/civic tech communities

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