Structured Thought Processes…

I’ve noticed that a weakness Facilitators and those running meetings have in common is poor process skills.  They all deal with people issues, but they all struggle defining a clear, thought process for the group to follow.  I’m talking about processes that help structure the thinking of a group so that they can make effective decisions to ensure well thought-out solutions.

How often have you been in a meeting where people work together well, but can’t get from point A to point B when making decisions?  It isn’t because they can’t decide.  It’s because something is missing – a structured thought process. 

Process Skills are Misunderstood

People make the mistake of thinking that process relates to business procedures.  Process is a way of organizing thoughts, ensuring that the needed structure is there for decision-making, problem solving, etc.  Too often, groups jump ahead to solutions without defining the problem, so they struggle because they don’t share a common goal.  This is a process issue.

Structured Thought Processes

When designing a workshop or meeting agenda consider the following to create a well-thought-out structured thought-process for the attendees to follow.

Structured Thought Processes organize the thoughts of the participants enabling them to methodically think through a problem,decide, prioritize a list, etc.  These help without missing crucial components, such as “Overall Goal”.  Some basic structured thought processes are:

For Problem-Solving:

• Symptoms --> Causes --> Solutions
• Problem Statement --> Objectives --> Solutions --> Select Solution
• What is happening? --> What are the problems or missed opportunities? --> What will we do? (see Classic Problem-Solving)

For Setting Direction:

• Vision --> Goals --> Objectives --> Tactics
• Why --> Where --> How --> When

For Defining Actions:

• What --> Who --> When
• What are we Doing --> What are the Barriers --> What do we want to Accomplish --> How do we get There
• Overall Goal --> Steps to reach Goal --> Sequence of Steps

Questions to Consider…

The following questions will help think through the process to ensure a well-thought-out structured thought process.  Structured thought processes build top-down, i.e., they begin with a broad understanding and delve into the details.

Is the group disagreeing about Objectives?

• Yes – have them define the Overall Goal.

Is the group disagreeing about Criteria?

• Yes – have them define a clear Objective.

Is the group disagreeing about which is first, second, etc.?

• Yes – have them agree on the end result – the Outcome.

Is the group stuck on how to solve a problem?

• Yes – have them agree on a clear Problem Statement.

Is the group disagreeing about Priorities?

• Yes – have them define the Overall Goal or Objective.

Process Skills are Crucial

Process Skills are important.  Without process skills, Facilitators and leaders cannot guide groups – groups struggle and break down making win-win difficult at best.

What are your thoughts about structured thinking?