LAYOUT EVALUATION STYLE

The training room layout that you chose for your session can have a big impact on the
success of your session. You can set your room up to encourage small group working,
delegate interaction or to have the delegates focus on you are the trainer/facilitator. More
often than not, trainers run with the room layout that they have been given by the venue and
dont put that much thought into how the room set up can help them create the learning
environment they want.

This diagram gives an overview of the most commonly used room layouts when you are
training. Were going to go through the pros and cons of each one so you can make
informed decisions.
Theatre

Great for large groups as you can fill rooms to capacity.

Good for short lecture style sessions which involve looking at a screen and/or
Trainer for the duration.

It is very difficult (although not impossible) to encourage interaction between

delegates and small group work is virtually impossible to manage.

The facilitator/trainer will struggle to see everyone.

It can be difficult to manage questions if it is a very large group. You might need to
arrange to have microphones so they can be heard at the back of the room and can
repeat questions for the benefit of the rest of the delegates.

Classroom

Very much like theatre style, this is a good layout for larger groups who will be
required to do some work during the course of the session.

It doesnt allow for a great amount of interaction between delegates, it naturally

encourages people to work on their own.

U-Shape

This layout is more likely to generate interaction between learners as they can easily
make eye contact with each other.

It allows the trainer/facilitator to remain the focus of attention, which is good if there
are a number of lecture style sessions.

The trainer/facilitator can get closer to each individual learner and importantly will be
able to make eye contact with each of them as they move around.

This is a good layout to use if you have giving a demonstration as it can be done in
the centre of the U, affording everyone a good view. It also gives a good view of a
screen to all learners.

You cant use this layout with large groups as the U becomes to large and it becomes
harder to manage.

Boardroom

Most rooms that are used for training are also used for general meetings and are
typically set up in the boardroom style.

If people are seated at all sides of the table, then the trainer/facilitator will always be
talking to someones back.

There isnt a natural focal point if learners needed to watch something on a screen
some people wouldnt be able to do this comfortably.

This is the best layout to use for a smaller group who will spend most of the session
talking and listening to each other. For example during some team development
sessions, action learning sets etc.

Banquet

Encourages interaction between learners.

Allows for great levels of small group work.

Good for larger groups, although you would be able to fit more people in using a
classroom or theatre style layout.

Trainer/Facilitator can circulate around all the delegates easily during small group
work.

There will always be people who have their back to the screen and/or the trainer.

Cabaret

Very similar to the banquets layout, but limits the number of people you can have
present by limiting the number of learners at each table.

Does allow for a natural focal point at the front of the room for the trainer/facilitator
or screen.

My own personal preference is to use either a cabaret or u shape set up, but it really does
depend on what you are trying to achieve and how your session is structured. What room
layout do you prefer to use? Let me know in the comments below.

Performance Hall/Potter Plaza

Layouts:
Banquet Layout:

Seats: Maximum 340 guests

Floor Plan Matrix:

Classroom Layout:

Seats: Maximum 270 guests

Floor Plan Matrix:

Theater Layout:

Seats: Maximum 500 guests

Floor Plan Matrix: