Control Self-Assessment (CSA):

Facilitation Skills

Training Introduction

Background

Control Self-Assessment (CSA) is a collaborative technique that depends heavily on effective facilitation. The success of a CSA session lies not just in the content, but in the facilitator’s ability to guide discussions, manage group dynamics, and foster a safe environment where participants can evaluate and discuss risks and controls honestly and productively.

This course focuses on building the soft skills, techniques, and mindset needed to facilitate CSA sessions effectively—whether in workshops, interviews, or virtual settings.

 

Purpose of the Training

To develop the communication, leadership, and facilitation competencies required to plan and lead CSA sessions that drive meaningful insights, encourage participation, and result in actionable outcomes.

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of a CSA facilitator and key success factors
• Apply facilitation techniques to encourage engagement and collaboration
• Manage group dynamics, dominant personalities, and conflict
• Use questioning, listening, and summarizing skills to guide discussions
• Design and lead CSA workshops (in-person or virtual) effectively

 

Target Audience

• Internal auditors and risk professionals facilitating CSA sessions
• Business managers participating in or leading CSA workshops
• Compliance officers and governance professionals
• Anyone responsible for leading collaborative risk and control evaluations

 

Training Format

• Modules: 5 interactive and practice-based modules
• Delivery: In-person, virtual, or hybrid
• Methodology: Role-plays, peer feedback, simulations, group exercises
• Tools Provided: CSA workshop guides, facilitation checklists, evaluation forms

 

Course Content:

Module 1: The Facilitator’s Role in Control Self-Assessment

Objectives:

• Understand the importance of facilitation in CSA success
• Clarify the responsibilities, mindset, and positioning of a CSA facilitator
• Set expectations for neutral, inclusive leadership

Key Topics:

• What is a CSA facilitator?
• Differences between facilitator, subject matter expert, and auditor
• Core competencies: neutrality, empathy, curiosity, control literacy
• Building trust and psychological safety in CSA sessions
• Ethical considerations and boundaries for facilitators

Exercises:

• Self-assessment: Facilitation readiness
• Case study: Effective vs. ineffective facilitation
• Group discussion: Traits of impactful facilitators

Module 2: Planning and Structuring CSA Workshops

Objectives:

• Learn how to design CSA sessions that support objectives and engagement
• Structure agendas, materials, and logistics for success
• Prepare participants for meaningful contributions

Key Topics:

• Structuring workshops: Flow, timing, and flexibility
• Developing workshop agendas and discussion questions
• Pre-workshop planning: participant selection, materials, tools
• Establishing ground rules and expectations
• Managing virtual vs. in-person facilitation setups

Tools & Templates:

• Sample CSA workshop agenda
• Workshop planning checklist
• Pre-session briefing guide

Module 3: Core Facilitation Techniques and Communication Skills

Objectives:

• Develop questioning, listening, and summarizing skills
• Apply tools to encourage engagement and shared ownership
• Handle quiet groups, dominant participants, and off-topic discussions

Key Topics:

• Active listening and paraphrasing
• Asking open-ended and probing questions
• Encouraging participation without bias
• Techniques to re-focus and manage time
• Using visual aids and collaborative tools effectively

Practice:

• Role-play: Facilitating a risk identification discussion
• Peer feedback on communication styles
• Techniques toolbox: round-robin, silent brainstorming, voting

Module 4: Managing Group Dynamics and Conflict in CSA Sessions

Objectives:

• Recognize common group challenges and learn strategies to manage them
• Stay neutral while guiding emotionally or politically sensitive discussions
• Foster constructive dialogue and consensus

Key Topics:

• Understanding group behavior: teams, hierarchies, personalities
• Dealing with dominant voices, skeptics, and disengaged participants
• Conflict resolution techniques for facilitators
• Creating balance between openness and staying on-topic
• Reading body language and emotional cues

Exercises:

• Group scenario simulation: Managing a difficult participant
• Techniques for de-escalating tension
• Reflection: Your conflict style as a facilitator

Module 5: Leading to Outcomes – Capturing, Reporting and Following Up

Objectives:

• Capture and summarize workshop outputs clearly and accurately
• Guide groups toward action and ownership of follow-ups
• Evaluate your own facilitation for continuous improvement

Key Topics:

• Real-time note-taking and synthesis of workshop outputs
• Converting discussion into action items and control ratings
• Encouraging commitment to follow-up actions
• Post-session evaluation and feedback tools
• Personal development: Reflective practice for facilitators

Tools:

• CSA workshop summary template
• Action item tracker
• Participant and self-evaluation form

 

Conclusion and Certification

• Recap of facilitation tools and techniques
• Capstone activity: Each participant facilitates a mini CSA session
• Peer and facilitator feedback
• Personal development planning
• Certificate of Completion awarded

 

Optional Training Materials

• CSA Facilitation Toolkit (agendas, checklists, participant guides)
• Facilitator's Field Guide – Quick reference for live sessions
• CSA Observation Rubric – For peer feedback during practice
• Sample Case Studies – Based on common risk/control issues
• Post-Workshop Reporting Templates