When groups come together to do meaningful work, structure matters. The NSRF offers a variety of structured conversations and exercises that help groups reflect, collaborate, and grow together. Some are called activities, others protocols. But what’s the difference between activities and protocols, and why does it matter?

Before a group can engage effectively with protocols, it needs a foundation of trust and shared understanding. That’s where NSRF activities come in. Engaging in these activities early-on builds the group’s capacity for purposeful protocol work. We begin with activities that help individuals reflect on themselves and cultivate strong, authentic relationships. Some are used regularly, while most are used once and only repeated when welcoming new members. These activities lay the groundwork for deeper collaboration by fostering a strong sense of safety and belonging, the essential elements for doing our best work together.

Activities like Transitions help participants shift gears and focus. Sharing reflections from previous meetings creates space for learning from each other’s perspectives. Other activities, such as Compass Points and Setting Agreements, deepen that foundation by surfacing individual work styles and co-creating group norms. These foundational activities set the stage for engaging in more challenging and collaborative work.

Other activities build key skills before engaging in protocols. Feedback Nightmares, an often-animated pair share activity, prepares group members to give and receive feedback skillfully. Probing Questions Practice hones the skill of asking thoughtful questions to shift someone’s thinking, a critical component when approaching professional dilemmas, the NSRF way. These skill-building activities, among others, are critical to successful protocol work.

NSRF protocols are tools specifically designed to promote meaningful, efficient communication, problem-solving, and learning. A protocol can be used repeatedly by the same group to improve work, generate ideas and plan, understand problems, and address issues. Although there are many others, including observation protocols and protocols for looking at student work, the key protocols in NSRF work fall into three categories.

1.) Improving work, planning, and brainstorming. These protocols ease the challenges of creating and revising work, from the fear of sharing to limited perspectives. They support “tuning” and improving work, spark genuine “out of the box” thinking, and build a solid foundation for any plan or initiative. Examples include the Tuning Protocol, Structured Charrette, and the Futures Protocol.

2.) Working with data. Data protocols allow participants to look at data with fresh eyes in an intentional way. This process generates a variety of implications, next steps, and strategies that can improve performance. Examples include the Data Analysis and the Data Driven Dialogue.

3.) Understanding professional dilemmas. Dilemmas are tough problems with no easy answers; they can show up in almost any situation or relationship. Dilemma protocols provide a structured process for exploring new perspectives, giving and receiving meaningful feedback, and discovering fresh ideas and support. Examples include the Dilemma Analysis, Dilemma Consultancy, and Micro-Dilemmas.

Understanding the distinction between an activity and a protocol helps us use each with clarity and intention. In the soon-to-be-released second edition of the Critical Friends Group Coaches’ Handbook, you may notice a few activities elevated to protocol status. Stay tuned!

By Genie Tanner, NSRF Training Facilitator

Genie Tanner has worked to support educators and collaborative teams in both private and public education for more than twenty years. After completing her M.Ed. in Human Resources Development, Genie began her CFG work more than a decade ago as a member of a CFG community focused on conversations about race. She has served as an NSRF Training Facilitator since 2012.