By Ashraf Al Shafaki

A competent trainer should be able to manage the time of a training session well. Here are two methods for managing workshop time.

Rigid Time Management

When preparing for a workshop, decide exactly how much time each point in the workshop will take. When you are actually running the workshop, stick firmly to the exact time you have planned for each point. You will be finishing on time.

Pros

• Finishing on time

Cons

• Inability to adapt to specific conditions of the session or the audience and inability to cope with any unexpected changes

Flexible Time Management

Decide on the points you want to cover in a workshop. Add some more extra points just in case. When running the workshop try to finish on time by covering the extra points if you find there is extra time left or by cutting back on some of the last points if time is due. You may also manage time flexibly by increasing or decreasing the time allotted for a point you are covering through cutting on its content or increasing it.

Pros

• Finishing on time
• Ability to adapt to changing conditions, unexpected circumstances and trainee needs

Cons

• Might not be able to fully cover a point as you planned