How to hold an ORID focus group

What is ORID? ORID stands for Observation-Insights- Reflection-Decision. It is a structured discussion process that can be used for small groups (up 12 people).

ProsCons Provides valuable information from context of participants (and stakeholder) experiences Requires some facilitation skills Structured thinking that focuses discussion on topics of interest Can seem awkward based on the structured discussion process Can draw out meaningful information in a short period of time Can be difficult to analyse unless session is voice-recorded, or a note- taker is present The Pros and Cons

What you need….. A facilitator A note taker, or digital voice recorder A large writing pad or whiteboard Anywhere from 1-2 hours The steps to holding an ORID workshop are provided in the toolbox

What you need to do….. Welcome the participants, and let them know that you want them to provide information on the project based on their experiences Consider using an ice-breaker to get the participants chatting Provide an overview of the ORID process

Before you go further Do you have an evaluation and monitoring question that will guide the workshop? – For example: Evaluation Question Monitoring question IndicatorData Source What is the value of this project to the participants? What did the participants like? What did they not like? Participant feedback ORID focus group What would participants want to see next? Participant feedback ORID focus group

ORID step 1 Get people to list their observations of the project (and not explain why this is important) Consider grouping like observations… – for example… Workshop speakers Getting to meet like-minded people Learning from experts Give-aways Handouts A running sheet for an ORID workshop can be downloaded from the online toolbox

ORID step 2 Consider each of the individual or grouped observations separately, and work your way through the Reflection-Insight-Decision. ObservationReflectionInsightDecision Workshop speakers Learning from experts Ask participants to reflect on that observation and ask them what they liked or did not like

ORID step 3 Based on the reflection that has just been discussed; ask the participants what this means for the program. ObservationReflectionInsightDecision For example: “Why did this aspect work or not work?” “What does this mean for the program?”

ORID step 4 The decision step provides some concrete and focussed actions that the organisation can take away to improve projects or plan strategies and future initiatives. ObservationReflectionInsightDecision For example: “What changes are needed?” “What would you say about the program to someone who was not there?” “What changes are needed?” “What would you say about the program to someone who was not there?” “What changes are needed?” “What would you say about the program to someone who was not there?” “What changes are needed?” “What would you say about the program to someone who was not there?”

Repeat for each observation…. Observation 1 Observation 2 Observation 3 ReflectionInsightDecision ReflectionInsightDecision ReflectionInsightDecision