Choose Your Learning Path
Every path starts with one course — ToP Facilitation Methods. Where you go from there depends on your goal. Find yours below.
New to ToP
You've heard about ToP — maybe from a colleague, a conference, or your organization. Start here.
This path is for you if…
- You're new to structured facilitation methods
- You were referred by a colleague or employer
- Your organization requires ToP training for staff
- You want practical tools you can use immediately
ToP Facilitation Methods (TFM)
Learn the Focused Conversation, Consensus Workshop, and Action Planning methods in an immersive 2-day workshop. This is the foundation of everything in ToP.
ToP Focused Conversation Method
A deep dive into the ORID framework. Learn to design precision conversations for any group context — team meetings, community sessions, and more.
Accelerated Action Planning
Participatory action planning templates designed for short-cycle projects. Get your team from decisions to accountable action fast.
Solve a Specific Challenge
You've taken ToP Facilitation Methods. Now you're facing a real organizational challenge. Pick the course that fits.
ToP Strategic Planning
Lead a full participatory strategic planning process — from environmental scanning through implementation. Every participant owns the plan they help design.
Approaches to Environmental Scanning
Quickly tap into factual data and stakeholder perceptions before organizational planning. Uncover history, dilemmas, and anticipated trends.
Designing for Change
Understand the complexity of transformational change. Design facilitation sessions that create lasting shifts in individuals and organizations.
Social Process Triangles
A transparent tool for assessing and working with organizational and community dynamics. For businesses, government, faith groups, and community organizations.
Radical Collaboration
Build collaborative relationships essential for complex, interdependent projects. Five core skills for creating cooperative environments and resolving conflict.
Meetings That Work
Meeting management tools for leaders and facilitators. Decision-making formats, efficiency techniques, and structured agendas that produce real outcomes.
Making Data Dance
Participatory processes for data gathering and analysis. Three real case studies using Focused Conversation and Consensus Workshop with data.
Facilitation for Innovation
Expand your skills to facilitate group creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking. Exercises and a reference book of tools for multi-perspective problem-finding.
Facilitation Graphics
Develop a graphics library, organize information visually, and create templates for group use. Words + visuals communicate more deeply and dramatically.
Get CTF Certified
Earn the Certified ToP Facilitator credential — the recognized mark of ToP competency, issued by ICA USA.
The CTF Pathway
Complete Both Core Courses
These two courses form the mandatory foundation for the CTF credential. Both must be completed before applying.
Choose Your Elective Hours
Select from 8+ CTF Elective courses to reach the required credit hours. Choose based on your practice area or sector.
Document Facilitation Hours
Demonstrate your facilitation practice in real-world settings. Document hours, contexts, and reflection across your field work.
Apply Through ICA / ToP Network
Submit your CTF application materials for review. The ToP Network supports this process and manages the credential.
Visit ToP Network →Start Your CTF Journey
The CTF credential is earned in a defined sequence. Use this checklist to track your progress.
- Complete ToP Facilitation Methods
- Complete ToP Strategic Planning
- Select and complete 2+ CTF Electives
- Accumulate required facilitation practice hours
- Join the ToP Network (required)
- Submit CTF application for review
Questions about CTF? Contact us
Become a Trainer
Qualified to teach others in ToP methods. As an internal trainer, consultant, or member of the ICA trainer network.
Earn Your CTF
You must hold the Certified ToP Facilitator credential before beginning the trainer development path. You may pursue CTF and trainer development simultaneously in some programs.
Co-Facilitate with a Trainer
Work alongside a certified trainer to observe, assist, and develop your delivery skills across real course contexts with real participants.
Trainer Preparation Coursework
Complete trainer preparation training — learning how to facilitate learning, design training sessions, manage group dynamics from the trainer perspective, and support participants.
Demonstrate Delivery Competency
Deliver course modules under observation. Receive structured feedback. Meet the competency standards set by ICA USA for certified ToP trainers.
Join the ToP Network
All Apprentice and Qualified Trainers are required to be members of the ToP Network (top-network.org). This is a non-negotiable requirement for delivering ToP courses under the ICA license.
Ready to Teach ToP?
The trainer path starts with your CTF credential. If you haven't earned it yet, start with Path 3. If you have your CTF and are ready to take the next step, contact us to discuss trainer development options.
95% of practitioners start with ToP Facilitation Methods.
It's the foundational course, it has no prerequisites, and it equips you with tools you can use immediately. If you're not sure which path is yours yet — start here.