Peer+Assists

=Peer Assists=

[[image:http://www.kstoolkit.org/space/showimage/peer_asisst.jpg align="right" caption="peer_asisst.jpg"]]Brief Description:
Peer Assist brings together a group of peers to elicit feedback on a problem, project, or activity, and draw lessons from the participants' knowledge and experience.

When to use:
Peer Assists may be useful when: > want to benefit from the advice of more experienced > people.
 * You are starting a new job, activity or project and you
 * You face a problem that another group has faced in the past.
 * You had not to have to deal with a given situation for a long time.
 * You are no longer sure what new procedures to follow.
 * You are planning a project that is similar to a project another group has completed.

How to use:
Learning from your peers; someone has already done it:
 * Communicate the purpose. Peer Assists work well when the purpose is clear and you communicate that purpose to participants.
 * Share your Peer Assist plans with others. Consider whether others have already solved the problem; they may have similar needs.
 * Identify a facilitator external to the team. The facilitator is responsible for managing the process so that meeting participants reach the desired outcome.
 * Schedule a date for the Peer Assist. Ensure it is early enough to do something different with what you have learned.
 * Invite potential participants who have the diversity of skills, competencies and experience needed for the Peer Assist. Avoid the usual suspects. Peer Assist works well with six to eight people; break up larger groups so everyone has the opportunity to voice experiences and ideas.
 * Be clear on what you want out of the Peer Assist (usually options and insights) and plan the time to achieve them.
 * Allow time to socialise in order to develop rapport.
 * Allow a day and a half for the Peer Assist. Schedule time to Tell, Ask, Analyse and Feedback.
 * Spend time creating the right environment for sharing.
 * Plan the event to allow a balance between telling and listening.
 * Listen for understanding and for how you might improve your own activity.
 * Consider others who might benefit from this knowledge, then share it with them.
 * Commit to actions and keep the Peer Assist team updated.

Examples & Stories
(add yours)