Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional Practice Exam

What does a facilitator’s role primarily involve during group discussions?

1. Directing the conversation

2. Establishing guidelines for response collection

3. Evaluating group member contributions

4. Creating agendas for future meetings

The correct answer is: Establishing guidelines for response collection

The facilitator’s role primarily involves establishing guidelines for response collection during group discussions. This includes setting ground rules that ensure everyone has the opportunity to share their thoughts and fostering an inclusive environment where participants feel comfortable expressing their ideas. By laying out these guidelines, the facilitator helps manage the flow of conversation, ensuring it remains respectful and productive. This foundational work is critical to encouraging participation and ensuring that all voices are heard, which is essential in achieving the group’s objectives. In this context, other roles such as directing the conversation or evaluating contributions can be part of broader facilitation tasks, but they do not represent the core responsibility of a facilitator. Creating agendas typically occurs prior to discussions and involves planning what topics will be covered rather than guiding the discussion itself. Therefore, establishing guidelines is a key function that supports the effectiveness and smooth operation of the discussion.