What is Co-Development?

It is a methodology created by Adrien Payette and Claude Champagne based on collective intelligence. All participants receive and give.

More specifically

The co-operative sessions bring together a small group (6-8) of participants and a facilitator.

Participants share a similar problematic or situation who believe they teach / advise / share suggestion / thoughts with each other with a view to improving their situation. The power of peer support helps its participants in finding ideas, solutions, ways to move forward. It leads to action, a personal plan to move forward.

Individual reflection and group discussion are supported by a structured consultation exercise focusing on the participants current issues.

It is a cycle of 1h30 (virtual) gatherings, 2h for the first one so there is time for an introduction. If there are 6 participants, there will be 6 workshops so each person has a chance to benefit once on a particular issue. Frequency can be every 10 days / 2 weeks.

It follows a strict methodology with rules ensuring respect, kindness, freedom of speech, no judgement, acceptance of each other background. The facilitator is the warrant of the process.

What it is not?

  • Not a support, counselling group as such.
  • Not a debate place nor a social gathering.
  • Not a come and go group: participants must commit to contribute and attend the full sessions cycle.

What are the benefits?

Often used in business environments, it can be used in other context (I have with Cancer survivors) as long as they share similar concerns and would benefit from the input of each other.

Also, it boosts self-esteem, self-confidence of each and everyone. It is a humbling process since all will eventually ask for help in a session. It improves active listening, empathy, forces participants to welcome and reflect before accepting or rejecting ideas.

Then, it develops relationships among participants.

Finally, it gives an impulse to participants so they can move forward. Participants will put suggestions into action immediately after each session, report back to the group the next time.

The Methodology

Three roles will interact during the session cycle. The facilitator, who moderates, is the warrant of the rules, flow, timing. The facilitator doesn’t take part unless the conversation gets stuck and requires a question to reinitiate the flow. The participants will act as consultants during the session putting their ideas at the service of their peer who stepped up as client of the session at the beginning. The client is the one who will ask for advice on that day. All participants will be the client of a session.

During the 1h30 session, the facilitator will guide the group through the various phase:

  • The Presentation
  • The Clarification
  • The Contract
  • The Exploration
  • The Feedback & Action Plan
  • The Conclusion