Facilitation

 
                                                           Conflict Resolution Styles
  Mediation Facilitation Negotiation Arbitration Litigation
Positives for parties Parties decide the terms of the outcome.                                                                                                    Neutral third party is present Parties control the direction of the process and terms of the process.                                         Neutral third party is present Have the authority to limit information sharing.       The parties themselves can decide the process and outcomes. Parties can limit the amount of information they each share with each other.                                               Parties decide if the final agreement is court-binding. A judge  makes a definitive rulling that is  enforcable by law. 
Negatives for parties Mediator controls the communication process  There is no unilateral decision making  by any one party A neutral third party is not present during this process to level any power imbalances.                         Arbitrators can require findings of facts and will decide the outcome. The final decision is  a matter of the court and infractions against the final ruling can lead to legal persecution.
Cost for parties $$ $ $$ $$$ $$$$

Facilitation is like mediation in that it takes a willingness from every party to come to the table.  However, facilitation usually involves a neutral third party guiding a decision making process or group communication so that the group can agree to a process for resolving a 'conflict' or making a decision.

For more information on faciliation or any other conflict resolution practice, please call 203-215-3553 or email at info@esecrc.com.