By the IPK Team
The IPK Process Design diagram is our latest product, which we would like to share with you. It provides users with an overview of the required design process steps to achieve their desired results when facilitating in the virtual realm. Our Process Design diagram provides an overview of our preferred principles, approach, design patterns, instruments, functions, facilitation methods and tools. All of these are required to craft a customised process design, facilitation plan, technical script and agenda, allowing users to implement a results-oriented facilitation platform.
Step 1: The Principles
Principles include: co-creation, distributing ownership, cognitive coherence, whole systems, living systems, conversation, participation and iteration. These are supplemented by our three IPK core principles, namely leveraging diversity, managing complexity, and serving the human spirit. All of these principles guide, inspire and inform all our process designs.
Step 2: The Approach
Our design approach includes concepts such as: working backwards, systemic leadership, seeing the whole elephant, results-based agendas, impact orientation, and process flow. This is our particular approach to ensure that our process designs are systemic, inclusive, results-oriented and transformative in their nature.
Step 3: Design Patterns and Instruments
Design patterns and instruments include backcasting, the ARE IN formula, terms of engagement, briefing questionnaires, triple-A groups, applying the 9 P’s, stakeholder interviews, and the
Step 4: The Process Design
The Process design is the “masterplan”, which results from the application of the principles, approach, design patterns and instruments. All of these allow us to clarify the desired overall impact, which includes tangible outputs and results as well as intangible outcomes and behavioural changes. It forms the basis for the subsequent design steps leading to a detailed facilitation plan, technical script and agenda. Applying the necessary diligence to these initial process design steps is what allows us to reach higher participant engagement levels and better quality results.
Step 5: Functions
With the process design in place, we move onto clarifying which facilitation functions we require to reach the desired outcome. Most facilitation methods fulfil specific functions required during different process stages. Functions include communicating new ideas, capturing evidence, evaluating ideas, creating shared visions, and many more. You can take a look at the
Step 6: Facilitation Methods
Only now do we start selecting suitable facilitation methods based on criteria such as their functionality, group size, time available, sophistication level etc. Facilitation methods include Fish Bowls, Brainstorming, Mad Tea, Round Robin, and many more. We have a big collection of methods available in our Design Kit for you to choose from.
Step 7: The Facilitation Plan, Technical Script and Agenda
The facilitation plan is created, often along with a technical script and a participant agenda. The technical script, which is used by the facilitator and technical driving team is absolutely essential for the seamless implementation of any virtual process. A seamless facilitation requires attention to every detail and in depth briefing of all involved team members.
Step 8: Virtual Tools and Facilitation Platform
Our preferred tools for working in the virtual realm include Zoom, Ideaflip, Mentimeter and many more. The customised combination of the best suited tools for each required function and the overall process purpose makes up the specific process facilitation platform. It is important to consider user friendly tools and virtual proficiency levels of participants at this stage. Providing the necessary technical orientation and tutorials to participants is also critical to results oriented process design.
These are the design process steps we observe with great diligence at IPK. They allow us to deliver meetings, events, workshops and conferences of a highly interactive, collaborative and engaging nature. Please contact us at info@i-p-k.co.za if you would like to engage with us on our process design and facilitation approach and services.