Web-based Software, 

Surveys, & Scheduling 

Tools in ADR

ADR.GOV

INTERAGENCY ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION WORKING GROUP

LUNCHTIME PROGRAM
Agenda 

12:00 Opening remarks

12:10 Daniel Rainey

12:30 Kevin Buffington

12:50 Margaret Ross

 1:10 Q&A, discussion

 1:25 Closing remarks

 1:30 End

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Moderator Michael Wolf, Director, FLRA CADRO 

Speakers Daniel Rainey

Chief of Staff, NMB

Kevin Buffington

Commissioner and 

Field Technologies 

Administrator, FMCS

Margaret Ross

Conflict Resolution 

Specialist, EPA

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TODAY: Web-based Software, 

Surveys, & Scheduling Tools 

Display, Describe, and/or Demo

Best Practices

Overcome Barriers

Q&A

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Web-Based Software, Scheduling, and 

Surveys
What do we do F2F and on paper?

• We create communication channels and 

manage communication among the parties.

• We present and help the parties understand 

information.

• We manage group dynamics at the table.

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Why use Web-Based Platforms

• The ability to create more communication 

channels.

• The ability to gather, present, and understand 

information and data in new ways.

• The ability to redefine “group.”

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How should we approach the parties?

• Treat online tools as a natural way to 

accomplish the things we need to accomplish 

for resolution.

• Use only the tools that add value and are 

comfortable for the parties.

• Stress the “value added” nature of the apps.

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The Federal Mediation and 

Conciliation Service uses TAGS 

to enhance the customer Online 

Dispute Resolution experience. 

Technology Assisted Group 

Solutions (TAGS) is our umbrella 

that houses a number of our 

software programs.

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Conducting some or all Dispute 

Resolution and sub-committee 

meetings online saves

Time, Money, Travel and Stress!

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What We Know 

 Confidentiality is important! We maintain our own servers for two of 

our software platforms that provide secure data storage. This allows 

labor, management and other involved parties to safely conduct 

business like negotiations, surveys and committee work via the 

Internet. 

 This technology has been successfully used by FMCS in F2F, 

Remote and Combination meetings of 4 – 400 users in a session. Our 

online Surveys have had thousands of users in a session.

 Parties can access their data 24/7 via a smartphone, IPad or laptop. 

We also have laptops and mobile servers that can be provided for a 

meeting if needed. 

 Labor and management has in almost every case saved both time 

and money when we have used this technology. They like it!

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Technology at the FMCS

• Adobe Connect – Biggest benefits – user control, breakout 

rooms and integrated audio and video. Ref: Adobe.com

• FacilitatePro – Biggest benefits – user anonymity if desired, 

electronic flip-charting, brainstorming, surveys, reports, 

capable of gathering input and evaluating viability of possible 

solutions from large groups as easily as working with small 

numbers of participants. Software’s information processing 

saves massive negotiation time in an Interest-based method 

of ADR. Can be used simultaneously with Adobe. Ref: 

Facilitate.com

• eRooms – Biggest benefits – 24/7 availability, document 

management. Ref: Emc.com

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When do we have a Technologyassisted meeting?

 When we believe these software tools may benefit a 

labor/management or ADR experience by doing any of 

the following:

A. Saving the agency or the parties “Time” (travel or 

meeting process time)

B. Saving the agency or the parties “Money” (travel 

expense and related stress).

C. Accomplishing a better end-result by changing 

methodology.

D. Logistics can be in place to accommodate the 

technology.

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Organizational involvement

 Educate our potential users (our field agents 

and their management) on the software and 

it’s benefits via webinars.

 Conduct tech training for willing agents.

 Tech request discussion 

 5 W’s and how will the technology be used?

 Field agent’s ability and/or comfort level?

 Can they run a TA meeting on their own?

 Will they need help in preparing or conducting the meeting?

 What level of support is needed? (physical presence or remote)

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Adobe Connect

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FacilitatePro - IBPS - Interests 

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FacilitatePro – IBPS-Brainstorm Options

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FacilitatePro - Evaluate Options

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Results (most to least acceptable)

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FacilitatePro - Results (item detail view)

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FacilitatePro used in Surveys

 FMCS has conducted numerous surveys for 

customers to identify problem areas and used 

demographic data to focus problem 

resolution. 

 Some survey examples are:

 Employee Satisfaction Surveys

 Pre-Bargaining Surveys

 Strategic Planning Surveys

 Labor-Management Effectiveness Surveys

 Committee Effectiveness Surveys

 "Bullying" In The Schools Surveys

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FaciltatePro Surveys

 FacilitatePro Surveys
EMC - eRoom

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Presenter: 

Kevin Buffington 

Commissioner and 

Field Technologies Administrator

Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service

kbuffington@fmcs.gov

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How to use web-based 

software, surveys, and 

scheduling tools in ADR 

EPA’s experience & efforts
“When using technology in ADR, not 

only do we act on behalf of the 

process, we also need to act on 

behalf of individuals who may have 

difficulty participating in the process.”

Jason Gershowitz 

Collaborative 

Technology Director

Kearns & West

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Web-based tools used in ECCR 

• Registration/Validation (Eventbrite)

• Meeting scheduling (MS Outlook)

• Document sharing (Web pages, OneDrive, SharePoint)

• Meetings (Adobe Connect, Webex) 

• Information Collection (Surveymonkey, Qualtrics) 

• Outreach and information (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, 

blogs, etc.) 

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Considerations for the use of web-based tools

• Browser compatibility

• Terms of service with providers

• Information collection requests of members of the public (PRA)

• Data security implications (collection of PII)

• User familiarity and burden on the user

• Broken SSL certificates, URLs, etc.

• Downloads, plug ins, etc.

• Creation of accounts

• Browser “back” and “forward” won’t break the program

• Timing out

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Some EPA lessons learned

• Make sure that meeting invitations or registration pages 

include information about what to do if you require 

accommodation. 

• Where possible, provide for multiple modes of participant 

input. 

• Polls in Adobe Connect may be mirrored using text polling or 

provision of verbal responses. 

• Participation in meetings might be done verbally via a 

teleconference line or in writing via a chat box. 

• Provide clear instructions and troubleshooting for 

participants with differing needs.

• Make sure that the tools you use are accessible, in all senses 

of the term.

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Comments? Questions?

31
Closing Remarks 

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