Peer Assist
Peer Assist is the most economic way of designing a project and avoiding errors and mistakes based on others' experience and knowledge. It is a method of knowledge and experience sharing among two teams, based on dialogue and mutual respect. A work team starting up a new project or task – the hosts – call on another team with experience in the respective field of activity.
Peer Assist allows the requesting team to gain input and insights from people outside the team, and to identify possible new lines of enquiry or approach – in short, reusing existing knowledge and experience rather than having to reinvent the wheel.
It is worth using a Peer Assist when a team is facing a challenge, where the knowledge and experience of others will really help, and when the potential benefits outweigh the costs of travel.
While Peer Assist is used for planning, Peer Review is the analogue tool for evaluation.
Steps in a Peer Assist
- The host team clarifies the purpose and invites an experienced team (6 to 8 persons).
- At the start of the Peer Assist itself, the host and facilitator allow time for socializing and create a good climate among participants.
- The presenter(s) of the host team explain the project; brief and precise: 10 to 15 minutes will be enough. They express the specific needs of the team and the expected outcome.
- The visiting team further explores the situation and gives feedback to what they learnt.
- The visiting team identifies options to solve the problem. The host team listens carefully and the facilitator records these options.
- The visiting team presents their final feedback. The host team is prepared to hear something it did not expect.
- The host team commits to follow-up actions and to keeping the visiting team updated.
- Together, they identify lessons learnt and further interested persons to share with.
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