After a workshop, it is time to solicit feedback and analyze where the workshop was successful and where it could be improved. No workshop is so good that there is not room for improvement, and facilitators grow with practice and reflection.
Following the workshop, the facilitators should:
Soliciting feedback: Feedback from participants is vital to developing a successful set of dialogue workshops. Informal feedback, such as what participants say afterwards, is certainly useful, but anonymous feedback that is guided through questions is usually the most important. A simple paper survey can be delivered immediately following the workshop, or a link to a survey online can be used with a more flexible time frame. However, the sooner participants take the survey, the fresher the experience will be in their minds.
Discussing and reflecting: Collecting survey results is not helpful unless they are analyzed and reflected upon. It is helpful if the survey is designed so that it can be analyzed statistically, but this is not always necessary. Just providing a space for thoughtful comments is valuable. The reflection process should be done with honesty and a willingness to listen to constructive criticism. Make note of what went right and what could have been improved, and then make the changes in the workshop for the next time. If possible, make the changes within two weeks of the workshop so that everything is fresh in your mind.