According to the publisher, this book is an "essential introduction to the development and practice of facilitation". It provides information on a broad range of topics including:

• The emergence of facilitation;
• Definitions and metaphors used in facilitation;
• Models of facilitation;
• Cross-cultural issues;
• Uses of technology for facilitators, and;
• Ethics, and professionalising facilitation.

"Understanding Facilitation" is designed for managers, trainers, educators, staff developers, social workers and community workers.

The book is a companion volume to "Practical Facilitation: A Toolkit of Techniques" and together they aim to provide a synthesis of current theory and practice of facilitation.