1. The group process is not a controlled process, but one guided by the aforementioned principles, relying on self-discipline by all participants in the group. Everyone understands, accepts and agrees to be guided by these Guiding Principles.
2. The group selects a facilitator to guide their process and a reporter who will report on behalf of the group to the plenary. One of the workshop facilitators assists the group facilitator in facilitating an open and fair participation process. The two work closely together as a team to ensure the smooth flow of the process and, with the reporter, the faithful reflection of the outcomes of the process that have to be shared with the plenary.
3. Participants are provided with an adequate supply of cards on which to write down their ideas, usually one idea per card. Ideas are best expressed in three or four words in which adjectives or adverbs bring precision to the noun or verb. If they prefer, participants may make a drawing of their ideas: a good picture is worth a thousand words.
4. Participants present their ideas quickly, without comment or discussion by the other members. All ideas are captured before discussion starts.
5. When all ideas are posted, the facilitator leads the group in ordering and naming the ideas into a coherent set or system on the subject under consideration.
6. Led by the group facilitator and the reporter, the group reviews the whole outcome of its work, recognizes, accepts and celebrates its collective product.
7. Participants share their individual assessments of the quality of the experience.
8. The reporter collects all the cards and summary materials and passes these on to the workshop rapporteur.
9. In the plenary, the reporter presents the group synthesis and, with the group facilitator, assists where necessary with the combination of the group reports through questions rather than suggestions, letting the participants stay in the lead.
10. In the end, the products and process are assessed and celebrated.