Programme modification

Sometimes sessions necessarily exceed the allotted time. This is no problem in itself. The problem which must immediately be resolved is the flow of the rest of the conference. One overtime session means something, somewhere, in the whole of the rest of the event. Procedures should be altered accordingly. Sometimes the entire conference direction shifts. This is a time to reconsider the flow of the rest of the event in the light of the intent of the event. What are other ways, in the light of the new focus of this event, that the intent can be accomplished ? What is the form of the new kind of product called for and how can the group produce it in the time now available ? This is where the creativity of facilitators and participants is required.

The only real error that can be made here is to begin to lose time and think that somehow it will take care of itself. The time will in fact take care of itself, and it will almost surely change the intent of the conference in the process. Although it is always a favourite complaint for a participant to say that there wasn't enough time to deal with the issue of the conference, this complaint is justified when corrections are not made immediately for time lost. The easiest way to make these corrections is to have in mind before the conference starts the points at which time is scarce, and alternative ways to proceed after that session or day.