Group facilitation encourages the members of a group to participate in a process in such a way that it provides a sense of joint ownership in the outcome of the process.  Whether it is identifying a common set of goals/objectives, re-envisioning the future of a the group/organization, developing a strategic plan or simply team-building (among other possibilities), facilitation by third party can help to:

• bring clarity to the exercise at hand
• allow everyone to be a participant in the process without anyone in the group having to manage the process
• ensure that everyone buys into and is engaged throughout the process
• keep the process focused and on track
• ensure that the process is recorded and that clear, meaningful and usable products are produced
• create an atmosphere that is safe, creative, and fun