The Moderation Method, in the meantime more than forty years old, has established itself in many meeting and workshop settings. Moderation is seen as a method for group work which helps to purposefully deal with fact-bound and social topics in groups and teams applying result oriented techniques and a defined moderator’s behavior.

In spite of this I feel that moderation from my point of view is not seen realistically in all its complexity and its possibilities are not appreciated accordingly. Comments like “This bit of  writing cards and drawing clouds” are daily fare.

If you are looking at moderation form the ScrumMaster’s perspective there are astonishing similarities on the meta-level. The elements of self organization, involvement, team synergy, structure, target orientation, communication, visualization and peer learning are central goals and power factors in both models. The demands for the roles of ScrumMaster / moderator are also functionally similar.

From a Scrum perspective the role of the ScrumMaster is no doubt superior to that of a moderator and much more complex but basic attitudes and behaviors are congruent respectively compatible. For many communication processes in Scrum like Retrospective, Daily Scrum, ScrumMaster Weekly, Estimation Meetings and Workshops for Team Building the Moderation Method can provide important impulses.

Moderation Techniques can be used in a structured and planned way or spontaneously according to the situation. The classical techniques (visualization with the help of cards, dot stickers, lists etc.) can at all times be varied and modified creatively. But rigidly sticking to the classical techniques can be a real “killer” which often leads to tired and bored participants.

Thus it is advisable to supplement and optimize the moderated processes with techniques from other group work models. The ground anchor technique, working with scales and creative techniques are an alternative. Here moderation shows how enormously compatible it is with other practices.

Here comes my suggestion: Expand your ScrumMaster competencies with creative moderation to enhance your own options for acting.

Dieter Rösner
Head of bor!sgloger Trainings

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