Training & Workshop Readiness Checklist

This workshop is still taking shape. Start with the foundations: confirm the learning objectives, the participants, and the venue, then build the agenda, materials, and facilitation plan from there. Use this checklist as your planning roadmap and revisit it as each piece comes together.

Learning objectives & agenda

• Clear, specific learning objectives are written down, framed as what participants will be able to do (not just know) by the end.critical
• The objectives are based on a real learning need — drawn from a training needs assessment, project gap, or request from the team — not a generic topic.critical
• A timed agenda maps each session to an objective, with realistic durations that leave room for discussion and over-runs.critical
• The agenda balances input, practice, and reflection — it is not a back-to-back series of presentations.
• Tea breaks, lunch, prayer time, and buffer time are built into the schedule, with no single block longer than about 90 minutes.
• The working language (Myanmar, English, or a local/ethnic language) is decided, and translation or interpretation is arranged if participants need it.

Participants & invitations

• A confirmed participant list exists with the right number of people for the method (small enough for genuine participation, usually 15–25 for interactive work).critical
• Invitations went out early with date, time, venue, objectives, and any pre-work, and attendance is confirmed — not just sent.critical
• The right people are coming — those whose role lets them apply the learning — and line managers have released them for the full duration.
• The mix of participants (gender, seniority, organisation, ethnicity, lived experience) supports the learning rather than silencing some voices.
• Any pre-reading, baseline survey, or preparation task has been sent with clear instructions and a deadline.
• Travel, per diem, accommodation, and reimbursement arrangements are communicated so participants are not left out of pocket.

Venue & logistics

• The venue is booked and confirmed in writing for the correct date and full hours, with a backup plan if it falls through.critical
• The venue is safe and reachable for all participants given current movement, security, and access constraints in the area.critical
• The room is large enough and can be arranged for group work (movable tables/chairs, U-shape or cabaret style), not fixed lecture rows.
• Reliable power, a generator or backup, and the venue's internet have been checked — assume electricity may cut and plan for it.
• Catering is arranged for the headcount, covering dietary, religious, and halal/vegetarian needs, with clean drinking water available.
• Toilets, hand-washing, a quiet/prayer space, and a comfortable temperature (fans or air-con) are confirmed.

Materials & equipment

• All session content is finalised — slides, handouts, exercise instructions, and case studies are ready and reviewed.critical
• Projector, laptop, adapters, speakers, microphone, and any video have been tested in advance, with offline copies in case the internet or projector fails.critical
• Handouts, agendas, and worksheets are printed in the right quantity (plus spares) in the language participants will use.
• Facilitation supplies are packed: flip charts, markers, sticky notes, masking tape, name tags, dot stickers, and a backup set of pens.
• Attendance sheet, consent forms, evaluation forms, certificates, and the participant pack are prepared and ready to distribute.
• Donor/organisation visibility items (banner, branding, photo-consent process) are sorted if reporting or visibility is required.

Facilitation plan & energizers

• A detailed session plan or facilitator's guide exists, noting timing, method, key questions, and who leads each part.critical
• Adult-learning methods are planned — discussion, role-play, group work, real cases — so participants do, not just listen.
• Co-facilitator, note-taker, timekeeper, and logistics roles are agreed, and everyone has reviewed the plan together.
• Icebreakers and energizers are prepared for the start and the post-lunch dip, suited to the culture and comfort of the group.
• A plan for ground rules, managing dominant voices, and handling difficult or sensitive moments is thought through.
• A contingency plan exists for running long, low turnout, a no-show co-facilitator, or technology failure.

Accessibility & inclusion

• Participants with disabilities can take part fully — step-free access, sign-language interpretation, large-print or readable materials, and seating arranged as needed.critical
• Language and literacy levels are considered, with plain language, visuals, and interpretation so no one is excluded by the working language.
• The environment is psychologically safe and conflict-sensitive — participation does not put anyone at risk given local tensions.
• Gender and power dynamics are planned for, so women, youth, and less senior participants can speak and contribute equally.
• Practical inclusion needs — childcare, breastfeeding space, timing around caregiving or travel — have been asked about and accommodated.

Pre/post assessment

• A way to measure the starting point — a pre-test, confidence self-rating, or expectations exercise — is prepared.
• A matching post-assessment will capture the change in knowledge, skills, or confidence by the end.
• A workshop evaluation (what worked, what to improve, would they recommend it) is ready to gather participant feedback.
• The assessment links back to the stated objectives, so you can honestly report whether the training met them.
• It is clear who will collate the results and where they will go — donor report, MEAL system, or the next workshop's design.

Follow-up

• Time is built in for participants to write an action plan — what they will do differently when they return to work.critical
• Post-workshop support is planned: a follow-up call, coaching, a resource pack, or a peer group to keep momentum.
• Slides, notes, photos, and a short workshop report or summary will be shared with participants and managers.
• Line managers are looped in so participants are encouraged and given space to apply what they learned.
• Your own facilitator reflection — what to keep, change, or drop — will be captured to improve the next round.