How to explore the objectives

From Regional Knowledge Resource Kit

Return to Stage 1 - engage region & information mapping
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1 Background
2 Facilitation level
3 Objectives
4 Materials
5 Time
6 Directions
7 Debriefing
8 Variations
9 Tips
10 Applications
11 Stories (case studies)

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Background

Possible objectives of a regional knowledge strategy

A list of possible objectives for your Regional Knowledge Strategy has been developed from the extensive knowledge strategy experience of RKRK consultants, Anecdote Pty Ltd and from the Regional Knowledge Strategy pilots. These are:

Better ability to find answers to problems
Reduce impact of information overload
Better ability to search for and find information
Better relationships and collaboration
Attract and retain the best people
Be more innovative
Learn from our successes/mistakes/challenges
Get more value from research, prioritise research needs
Better transfer our information and knowledge to and from internal and external stakeholders

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Facilitation level

This technique require a basic level of facilitation skill.

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Objectives

To get people starting to explore what they want to achieve through a Regional Knowledge Strategy. A final list of objectives is not determined in this activity - it is about stimulating thinking and discussions. The objectives will be revisited in Stage 4.

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Materials

Each of the above objectives in large print on a separate pieces of A3 paper.
Coloured dots in 2 different colours.

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Time

Approx. 1 hour.

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Directions

Before the commencement of the Stage 1 workshop, type up each of the above possible objectives on a separate piece of A3 paper and stick them up on the wall in 3 rows of 3.
Introduce the activity. Tell participants that:
- The aim of the activity is to get people starting to explore what they want to achieve through a Regional Knowledge Strategy.
- A final list of objectives is not determined in this activity - it is about stimulating thinking and discussions. The objectives will be revisited in Stage 4.
Give everyone 2 coloured dots (all the same colour) and ask them to spend a couple of minutes thinking about the objectives and then to put a sticky dot on what they currently think are their 2 highest priorities. They can put both dots on the same objective or put them on 2 different ones.
Have a group discussion of the results of the voting. Ask: Why did you vote for the ones you did?
From the discussion, provide an opportunity for the group to come up with new objectives or to combine existing ones.
Using a different dot colour, ask participants to vote for a second time.

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Debriefing

A suggested way of debriefing the participants in this activity is to:

Record the final results with a digital camera.
Email the digital image to all of the staff and board members of your region.

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Variations

Additional resources:

Dotmocracy Guidebook. Dotmocracy is a method for collecting and prioritising ideas among a large number of people.

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Tips

If you find it difficult to stimulate or maintain discussion after the first round of voting, try asking the alternative question: Why didn't you vote for the ones you didn't vote for?

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Applications

This activity is part of the Stage 1 workshop.

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Stories (case studies)

These images show the start and finish of the "Explore the objectives" activity conducted during the Corangamite CMA Stage 1 workshop on 31 October 2007.