Large Group Interventions Tools for Innovation Angelo John Lewis

LARGE GROUP METHODS FOR CREATING THE FUTURE Principles: Participant – not consultant – driven Involves the whole system: internal and external Foster vision, energy and commitment from all

Traditional Data Collection and Feedback Methods Whole-System Interactive Events Theory BaseAction researchOpen systems theory PurposeImproved organizational effectiveness Alignment around a strategic direction, work redesign, system-wide issues Data Base  Source  Availability  Internal to organization  Limited to units  Organization and external stakeholders  Widely Shared Responsibility and Accountability Driven by senior management Broadly shared by senior management with whole system TimeSlow: Waterfall process by level Fast: Rapid response to data Learning About:Individual or unit functioning The organization as a system Consultant RoleCentral to:  Data collection  Data interpretation  Data feedback process Structures and Facilitates  Data Collection  Data Analysis  Action Taking Change PotentialSequential incremental change Simultaneous fundamental change Organization Development Strategies for System-Wide Change Barbara Benedict Bunker and Billie T. Alban, Large Group Interventions

Method #1: Open Space Technology  Used to gather diverse opinions  5 – 1,000 participants, over 1 – 5 days  Participants create the agenda  Meetings proceedings can be captured instantly in a book Ideal Conditions: 1.A real issue or concern 2.High-level of complexity 3.High level of diversity 4.Real or potential conflict 5.High level urgency

Method #2: Participatory Strategic Planning  Participatory – not top down – strategic planning process  1-3 day process  Four Step Process:  Create practicable group vision  Explore underlying contradictions  Create strategic directions to address contradictions  Create implementation plan

Method #3: Group Assessment Method o Can be used for virtually any purpose, from team building to strategic planning o Group generates data together as a team o Best for groups under 100 o Cost effective and less labor intensive than traditional team building o Process is fast and energizing

About Me 20+ Years Experience Wide range of clients Clients: – Verizon – US Dept. of Commerce – NJ Dept of Community Affairs – Rockefeller Foundation – Many Schools and Universities

Principle Focus Meeting Management and Facilitation Team and Community Building Clients: – Verizon – US Dept. of Commerce – NJ Dept of Community Affairs – Rockefeller Foundation

Lewis Associates Executive Coaching Team Building Organizational Development Lewis Associates 27 Buttonwood Street, Lambertville, NJ