Problem solving sessions usually work best if they are facilitated. The presence of a facilitator allows the participants to concentrate on the problem at hand, rather than the issues of managing the group. This applies on-line as well as face to face.
KnowInnovation provides facilitation services. Our ideal model is to work with a client whereby we lead the initial workshops and then gradually transfer the skills to the client's facilitator.
for example...
The client organisation is a government research funding body. They wished to encourage academic research into new ways of reducing gun crime.
A group of 25 academics was recruited. Their skills ranged from sociology through to materials science. The participants attended a 5 day problem solving workshop at a dedicated innovation facility. A team of five KI facilitators then lead the participants through the problem solving process. This resulted in several new research proposals which were funded by in excess of 1 million euros.