One of the most helpful frameworks I have ever learned came from a workshop conducted by Bob Pike. He advocated for deploying a three-step process in training design using the easy-to-remember acronym of CPR. While the steps don’t stand for something that would literally save a life, following them has undoubtedly saved me from numerous missteps throughout the years.
C = Content
FIRST start by figuring out what message you wish to convey. What is the content or objective of your workshop or message?
P = Participation
THEN think about how you can incorporate a participatory element to your presentation. You would be surprised at how often people intuitively want to start with this step. They have a “cool idea” of how they can do things or start putting together a schedule without regard to step one.
R = Review
There are many ways to include this component: a literal review of concepts at the end; a handout for participants to self-review later; a follow-up email, or an exercise at a subsequent meeting to discuss applications of the concept.
Consciously applying these three steps — in this order — will serve you well when developing a workshop, event, retreat, meeting, etc. While I hope you never have to use the Red Cross version of CPR, I do hope you deploy the training version every time you are gathering a group. You’ll be amazed at the congruency that those three little steps bring you.
— beth triplett
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