---
name: group-program-design
description: "Designs group coaching or fitness programs with cohort structure, scheduling, pricing, and community elements."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Group Program Design

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Design a group coaching, fitness, or wellness program
- Structure cohort-based experiences with scheduling and pricing
- Build community elements that increase retention and results
- Create a scalable program that serves more clients without trading more time

**DO NOT** use this skill for one-on-one coaching plans, course creation, or membership site design. This is for live group programs with cohort-based delivery.

---

## Core Principle

A GROUP PROGRAM SUCCEEDS WHEN THE GROUP ITSELF BECOMES A SOURCE OF MOTIVATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY — DESIGN FOR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST CONTENT DELIVERY.

---

## Phase 1: Program Brief

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Program topic** | "What does the program help people achieve?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Duration** | "How long is the program — 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks?" | 8 weeks |
| **Group size** | "Minimum and maximum participants?" | 8-15 participants |
| **Delivery format** | "Live calls, pre-recorded + community, hybrid?" | Weekly live group calls + community |
| **Price point** | "What will you charge per participant?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Your time commitment** | "How many hours per week can you dedicate to this?" | 3-5 hours/week |

**GATE: Confirm program scope and delivery format before designing.**

---

## Phase 2: Program Structure

### Cohort Design

```
## [Program Name] — [Duration] Program

### Cohort Details
- **Start date:** [Date]
- **End date:** [Date]
- **Max participants:** [X]
- **Application deadline:** [Date]
- **Enrollment opens:** [Date]

### Weekly Structure

| Component | Day/Time | Duration | Format |
|-----------|----------|----------|--------|
| Group coaching call | [Day] at [Time] | 60-75 min | Live video (Zoom) |
| Community check-in | [Day] | Async | Community platform post |
| Weekly assignment | Released [day] | 30-60 min | Self-paced |
| Hot seat coaching | Rotating within group calls | 15-20 min/person | Live |
| Office hours (optional) | [Day] at [Time] | 30 min | Live Q&A |
```

### Week-by-Week Curriculum

```
## Curriculum Outline

### Week 1: [Foundation Topic]
- Teaching: [Core concept]
- Assignment: [What participants do this week]
- Community prompt: [Discussion question]

### Week 2: [Building Block Topic]
- Teaching: [Core concept]
- Assignment: [What participants do this week]
- Community prompt: [Discussion question]

[Continue for all weeks...]

### Final Week: [Integration / Next Steps]
- Teaching: [Putting it all together]
- Assignment: [Personal action plan]
- Celebration: [Group wins and commitments]
```

---

## Phase 3: Community & Engagement

### Community Platform Options

| Platform | Best For | Cost |
|----------|----------|------|
| Circle | Dedicated course communities | From $49/month |
| Slack | Familiar, easy setup | Free for basic |
| Facebook Group | Low-friction for most audiences | Free |
| Discord | Tech-savvy or younger audiences | Free |
| Mighty Networks | All-in-one community + course | From $33/month |

### Engagement Tactics

1. **Welcome thread** — each member introduces themselves and states their #1 goal
2. **Weekly wins** — dedicated space for sharing progress (creates positive momentum)
3. **Accountability pairs** — partner members for weekly check-ins
4. **Hot seat rotation** — 2-3 members get deep-dive coaching each call
5. **Challenge prompts** — mid-week activities that drive engagement between calls
6. **Guest expert** — invite one guest for a special session (adds value and variety)

### Group Call Structure

```
## Weekly Group Call Agenda (60-75 min)

**Opening (5 min):** Check-in round — one word describing your week
**Wins & Progress (10 min):** Members share wins since last call
**Teaching (15-20 min):** This week's core content or framework
**Hot Seat Coaching (20-25 min):** 2-3 members get focused coaching
**Q&A (10 min):** Open floor for questions
**Closing (5 min):** This week's assignment and commitment share
```

---

## Phase 4: Pricing & Operations

### Pricing Framework

```
## Pricing Model

**Per-person pricing:**
- Calculate your desired hourly rate x total program hours = base cost
- Divide by minimum group size = per-person floor price
- Add value premium for community, accountability, and curriculum

**Example:**
- Total delivery time: 24 hours over 8 weeks
- Desired hourly rate: $150/hour
- Base cost: $3,600
- Minimum group of 8: $450/person (floor)
- Value premium: $300-500/person for community and curriculum
- **Program price: $749-949/person**
- **Revenue at 12 participants: $8,988-$11,388**
```

### Payment Options

- Full pay upfront (offer 10% discount)
- 2-pay split (50% now, 50% at week 4)
- Monthly installments (slight premium for flexibility)

### Operational Checklist

- [ ] Platform selected and configured (calls, community, content)
- [ ] Application or enrollment form created
- [ ] Payment processing set up with payment plan options
- [ ] Welcome email sequence drafted (confirmation, prep, and kickoff details)
- [ ] Curriculum content created for all weeks
- [ ] Call recordings process established (for members who miss)
- [ ] Feedback survey prepared for mid-point and end of program
- [ ] Celebration or graduation event planned for final week

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **Too large a group** — groups over 20 lose intimacy and individual attention. Cap it.
- **All content, no interaction** — if members never talk to each other, it is a course, not a group program.
- **No accountability structure** — without check-ins and assignments, participants disengage after week 2.
- **Underpricing** — group programs should still reflect your expertise. Do not price like a $27 course.
- **No waitlist for next cohort** — always capture interest from people who miss the current enrollment window.
- **Skipping the celebration** — ending without acknowledging the group's journey feels abrupt and misses a retention opportunity.

---

## Recovery

- **Under minimum enrollment:** Delay the start date, extend marketing, or run a smaller group with adjusted pricing.
- **Drop-off after week 2-3:** Increase engagement touchpoints, reach out personally to disengaged members, and review whether content is relevant.
- **One member dominates calls:** Set clear participation guidelines. Use a timer for hot seats and invite quieter members by name.
- **Content not landing:** Survey the group mid-program. Adjust remaining weeks based on what they actually need.
- **No one engaging in community:** Post conversation starters, share your own progress, and create low-effort engagement opportunities (polls, quick wins).
