Problem Definition

To generate ideas about how to implement the reverse of the current state of affairs and to experience the possibility of looking at a problem as an opportunity to create new solutions.

1. Let’s take a minute and look at the focus question (The problem).
a. What are some ways that this issue manifests itself?
b. What are some of the underlying dynamics?
c. What will happen if it is not dealt with?
2. We want to apply these ideas to the focus question we are concerned with.
3. We are going to divide into 5 groups one for each of the 5 methods. Each team will have one of the methods Escape, Reversal, Exaggeration, Distortion and Wishful Thinking. Divide the group into 5 teams.
4. Each team will do three things.
a. They will discuss their method.
b. They will create Problem Objectives using their method.
c. The will develop Ideas / Concepts in response to their problem objectives. Don’t forget you are out to be innovative and creative. Don?t worry about how it can be done at this stage.
d. Put your Problem Objectives and your Ideas / Concepts on a flip chart.
5. Are there any questions?
6. You have 30 minutes to bring your finished work back to the plenary.
7. After 30 minutes have the groups come back to the plenary.
8. We want each team to report their results. Would the first team read its Problem Objective(s) and the Ideas / Concepts you generated?
9. After each report ask if there are any questions of clarity.
10. Continue having the teams give their reports.
11. We need to select from among these ideas. At the same time it might be that new ideas come up in the process please feel free to add them as we go along.
12. I am going to read the list of ideas. Read the lists ? You should have between 5 and 15 ideas.
13. We are now concerned about selection criteria. You need to have three or four. These can be decided ahead of time or you can involve the group. If there are only two criteria use a C-Box. If there are more use the following procedures.
14. We still don’t want to finalize our decision. Now we want to ask, “Are their two or more of the ideas that could be combined to better meet the criteria?”
15. Are there combinations that should be considered?
16. If there are combinations ask if the separate ideas should be considered only in combination or in combination and as a separate idea.
17. Put the ideas down the side of the white board or flip chart. Put he criteria across the top. I would like each of you to fill in the matrix with numbers between 1 and 10. One is lowest and ten is highest. One means that the idea in no way meets the criteria and 10 means the idea totally meets the criteria.
18. Take 15 minutes to do this.
19. I want each of you to say which two ideas best meet all of the criteria. Go around the room. Mark each item with a check if it is in a person?s top two.
20. If there is agreement ask a small group to write up the ideas in sentence form.
21. If there is not agreement use a paired comparisons.
22. Ask a team to produce the sentences and distribute them.

Close

1. We want to reflect on the process.
a. What do you remember from the process?
b. What went well?
c. What could be improved?
d. What did you learn?
e. What are the next steps for you?

Usual or Expected Outcomes: A list of problem definitions and responses to the problems and Selected responses.

How success is evaluated: The selected responses are implemented