Appreciative Inquiry in Action

Using an Appreciative Inquiry approach, qestions are designed to address a specific organizational issue (see below).
Participants answer these questions individually.
In pairs, the participants share their stories with each other (question #1 & #2).
Pairs get into groups of 6-8 and each person tells their partner's story.
The group identifies core values and common themes.

Remember a time when you were part of a group that worked together really well. A time when evveryone was engaged, aligned and the team achieved great results, even when you were faced with great challenges.
What did you and others do to make this group a real success? What helped you overcome insurmountable odds and get through tough times?
What is it that you valued about yourself and other group members?
Identify common themes that came up in each of the experiences.

Process:

Common themes are summarized and put up on a flip chart. From the combined list, each participant selects the three most important things that their team could work on to make them be more successful.
Individuals identify things that they have excitement and energy to work on and work teams are identified.
The work groups develop processes to get input and feedback from the entire group and mechanisms to monitor and measure their results.

Alternate Process: Steering group

A Steering Group that is representative of the organization, develops AI questions, interviews staff and hold a summit meeting where participants develop a plan of action.