explore · Knowledge Sharing, Problem Solving, Planning · 120–480 min · A host team plus 4-8 visiting peers · medium energy
Peer Assist
Before starting something important, a team invites peers from elsewhere who have done something similar. The host team presents its context and plans, the visitors ask questions and then talk among themselves about what they have seen work and fail, and finally feed back options. The host team keeps ownership of every decision.
When to use Peer Assist
Use when a project or big decision is about to start and someone elsewhere has probably faced the same problem.
What it solves
Teams repeat mistakes another part of the organisation already made, because nobody asked them.
How to run Peer Assist, step by step
- Define the problem and what you hope to get from the session. Invite peers with relevant experience and send a short brief (prep).
- The host team presents context, history and current ideas (30 min).
- Peers ask questions to understand what is covered and what is missing (30 min).
- Peers discuss among themselves what knowledge could help and where it can be found. The host team listens without defending (45 min).
- Peers feed back, first what is strong in the current plan, then options to do things differently (30 min).
- The host team thanks the peers and says which actions it will take and how it will share the result (15 min).
Materials needed
- Short briefing pack sent in advance
- Flip charts
- A neutral facilitator and a note-taker
Facilitator tips
- Hold it early enough that the host team can still change course.
- Ask peers to describe what they did rather than prescribe what the host team should do.
- Mix roles, locations and levels among the peers.
Common pitfalls
- The host team spends the session defending its plan.
- Peers are picked for seniority rather than relevant experience.
Variations
- Run a short online version for a single question, with three peers and 90 minutes.
Running it online or hybrid
Works online if the briefing pack goes out in advance and the peers get their own room for the discussion step.
What it produces
A set of options and lessons from experienced peers, and the host team's list of what it will change.
Origin
Developed at BP in the 1990s as a 'learning before doing' practice and described by Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell in their knowledge management work. — source
Build a session around Peer Assist
METODIC places Peer Assist inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.