The Ultimate Facilitation Checklist: Are You Ready to Train?

Ewan Laing
May 14
2 min read

You’ve got your slides, your talking points, and your handouts. But are you really ready to facilitate an engaging, impactful training session? Great facilitation isn’t just about having the right content—it’s about creating an experience that flows smoothly and keeps learners engaged from start to finish.

At Team BrightSpark, we swear by this Ultimate Facilitation Checklist to help trainers feel confident, prepared, and ready to handle anything. Before your next session, run through this list to make sure you’re fully set up for success.

✅ Before the Session: Set Yourself Up for Success

🔲 Know Your Audience – Who are they? What do they need? Tailor your approach accordingly.

🔲 Clarify Learning Outcomes – What should learners walk away knowing or being able to do?

🔲 Prepare Your Materials – Double-check slides, handouts, and interactive elements.

🔲 Test Your Tech – Ensure your laptop, projector, mic, or virtual meeting tools are working.

🔲 Rehearse Key Transitions – Smooth transitions keep engagement high and eliminate awkward pauses.

🔲 Plan for Energy Management – Schedule breaks and interactive moments to keep engagement high.

🎤 During the Session: Engage, Adapt, Deliver

🔲 Start with Energy & Presence – Greet your learners, set a positive tone, and establish rapport.

🔲 Use the 10-Minute Rule – Switch things up every 10 minutes to maintain attention.

🔲 Ask More, Tell Less – Encourage discussion, reflection, and collaboration.

🔲 Read the Room & Adapt – If energy drops, change tactics. If confusion rises, clarify concepts.

🔲 Facilitate, Don’t Just Present – Move beyond slides—use real-world examples, activities, and discussions.

🔲 Stick to Time but Stay Flexible – Keep an eye on the clock without rushing meaningful discussions.

🎯 After the Session: Reinforce & Reflect

🔲 Debrief with Your Learners – What resonated most? What questions remain?

🔲 Gather Feedback – Use surveys, informal conversations, or post-session reflections.

🔲 Follow Up – Share resources, answer questions, and provide continued support.

🔲 Reflect on Your Performance – What worked well? What could be improved next time?

🎯 Your Challenge: Use this checklist before your next training and tweak anything that needs improvement.

Ready to Take Your Training Skills to the Next Level?

Our ‘Training Trailblazers’ workplace train the trainer program is designed to turn great trainers into extraordinary facilitators. Whether you’re looking for 1:1 coaching to refine your own facilitation skills or want to train an entire team to become top-notch trainers, we’ve got you covered. Book a discover call today and become the trainer your learners remember!

💡 Let’s build your confidence, your skills, and your impact—one session at a time.