Strategic Visioning

Strategic Visioning was developed by The Grove Consultants International, a pioneering group graphics firm in San Francisco (www.grove.com). It's a highly engaging and effective process that uses large templates to collect and display the group's thinking during a series of discussions and activities.

Typically, a full strategic visioning process takes one to two days using 7-8 templates. However, we can create customize half or full day sessions (i.e. planning for a particular project). The process and templates used depend upon the desired outcomes and the group's unique needs.

Overview of the Process

The Grove's Strategic Visioning Process encompasses your organization's past, present and future. During the process, your group:
* Reviews its history and achievements;
* Analyzes and agrees on its current realities;
* Imagines its best possible future; and
* Creates strategies and action plans for bridging the gap between their current reality and vision.

Graphic History

This step draws out your groups past, tracking where the organization has been to more clearly frame where it is headed.

* Orients the group to the larger historical context of its work.
* Explores how the past can inform future direction.
* Imagines its best possible future; and
* Strengthens group memory and respect for the past.

Context Map

The Context Map helps your group understand the factors, trends and forces at work in its unique web of relationships.

* Develops a big-picture view of the environment.
* Increases understanding of complex situations.
* Examines assumptions and multiple perspectives.
* Establishes a common backdrop for a strategic vision.

SPOT Matrix

The SPOT Matrix helps people see that strengths, problems, opportunities and threats can serve as catalysts for change and ultimately lead to opportunities.

* Examines current conditions and future potential of your organization.
* Provides an opportunity to raise key issues.
* Catches challenging threats while they're still minor.

Cover Story Vision

This step has your group imagine itself on the front cover of a magazine to brainstorm ideas about the organization's future.

* Develops compelling visions of the future based on real aspirations.
* Generates creativity, breakthrough thinking and alignment.
* Envisions quantum leaps from the past.

Vision Mandala

In this step, common, compelling themes that come out of the Cover Story activity are identified and recorded in phrases everyone can agree on.

* Focuses and unifies your group's thinking on vision, mission and values themes.
* Transforms ideas from multiple sources into one display.

Big Bold Steps

Big Bold Steps focuses your group's attention on the big moves or steps needed to reach its vision.

* Clarifies mission and vision.
* Identifies high-level strategies and
* Communicates high priority actions.
* Explores underlying values, challenges and supports.

Graphic Gameplan

This step structures an action plan for your group. By creating a holistic picture of the team, its target and how to get there, group members develop a workable plan for moving ideas into action.

* Develops a strategic action plan.
* Builds alignment about common direction.
* Determines goals and objectives.
* Gets agreement on stages and tasks.
* Identifies challenges and success factors.

SPOT Matrix

Graphic facilitators Corrie Melanson and Janet Rhymes can transform your group process using their well-honed facilitation skills and unique visual tools. This powerful approach fosters engagement, clarity, big picture thinking and effectiveness in meetings, workshops, and conferences.