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Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a commonly accepted strategic and change management tool pioneered by David Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva of Cape Western Reserve University in the mid 1980s. In this article we look at how it can also be used to solve problems.
By looking at the meaning of the two words, it is possible to get an understanding of the basis of AI.
- Appreciative – having or showing appreciation or a favorable critical judgment or opinion.
- Inquiry – a search for knowledge, seeking information by questioning.
The principle behind AI is that by appreciating what is good and valuable about a particular situation, and by questioning and querying why this is, it is possible to discover new possibilities for improvements. But how does this work in practice?
When faced with a problem our instinct is to focus on the things that aren't working and think about how they can be fixed. This is the conventional approach to problem-solving and in many cases it's the right one to use. AI, however, offers an alternative approach, and suggests a shift to a positive perspective by looking at what does work.
The 4D Approach
AI is often referred to as the '4D approach’.
- Discover (the best of what is).
- Dream (what might be).
- Design (what should be).
- Deliver (what will be).
1. Discover
The discovery phase is all about focusing on times of excellence, when people felt things were at their most effective and alive. A traditional problem-solving approach to resolving conflict within a team might ask: ‘What is the source of the conflict?’ whereas the AI approach would ask: ‘What is the very best team you ever worked with?’ In terms of resolving a problem, it is important that the difficulty is seen not as an immovable object, but as a source of insight into the way forward.
2. Dream
In the dream phase the challenge is to move away from the status quo and start to envisage a preferred future. It looks at potential and the contribution that could be made. In practical terms, what is the ultimate position the team could be in, how far can it stretch? The dream phase utilizes history at its best, as discovered in the discovery phase, whilst preventing stagnation by suggesting and generating opportunities to move into.
3. Design
This phase involves creating the social and procedural architecture required to realize the dreams. This is the time to determine the desired qualities and behaviors which will underpin the efforts to move towards a positive future. AI would ask, ‘What is the best way to lead this team towards our goal?’, rather than the more traditional ‘What is wrong with the way this team is led?’.
4. Deliver
This phase provides the opportunity to put into practice the visions and propositions of the dream and design phases. This is a time of continuous learning, adjustment and improvisation. Although the delivery phase marks the end of the AI cycle, it is often viewed more as an opportunity to return to the beginning of the cycle. Many benefit from the approach that this positive thinking brings. By focusing on what makes the great so great, and on what it is that they do well, further positive outcomes often materialize.
The 4D Appreciative Inquiry Cycle
Appreciative Inquiry is not a substitute for problem-solving. Instead it is a tool that can be used either as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, more traditional methods of problem-solving. It is a way of opening the mind to new horizons and exploring hitherto overlooked possibilities which can not only solve the immediate problem to hand, but also improve perspective as a whole.
Further Reading
