Since September 2002 a Group Decision Room (GDR) is available at Alterra. The GDR is an instrument used to create more effective meetings.
What is the GDR?
The GDR is a meeting room equipped with an electronic meeting system. It consists of a local computer network of 10 laptops, with software especially developed to support group processes. The GDR at Alterra (B101) can accommodate 9 participants (and 1 facilitator).
At present ample experience has been gained using the system, where different types of software can be used. The meeting room software is used to collect, structure, exchange and preserve information. This information can contain words or numbers. The meeting room can be applied for e.g. brainstorming, inventory of opinions, votes, evaluations and multi-criteria-analyses, but also for writing a report together.
In the GDR the input of the participants is anonymous, ensuring the input is valued on merit (and less on who has provided the input). Using the GDR also ensures that every participant is allocated the same opportunity to provide input; the participants can react simultaneous. This in contrast to “normal” meetings, where only one person at the time can express his/her opinion. In this way less outspoken persons also have an opportunity to contribute. The input of the participants is preserved straight away, nothing is lost, and at the end of the meeting a draft report is available. The GDR supports the meeting, next to the electronic system, “normal” discussion is important as well.
What is a technical facilitator?
At all times a technical facilitator is necessary during a GDR session. The technical facilitator is familiar with the tools of the GDR, can advice you on the use of each tool and operate the system during a session. The technical facilitator will provide information during an intake on how to apply the different tools appropriate for this specific session. The technical facilitator prepares the meeting together with the chairperson and support participants in using the system during the session. Normally the chairperson is provided by the customer or a process facilitator is contacted.
Reservations
For more information and reservations please contact Annelies Bruinsma (annelies.bruinsma@wur.nl , (+31) 317 48 15 76) or Marion Bogers (marion.bogers@wur.nl, (+31) 317 48 18 13).