Disciplined Inquiry™
Building inquiry skills for enhanced problem solving
A facilitated process developed by SFB Associates. It is a proven tool for re-framing and resolving business dilemmas. When a project team or management committee gets “stuck” valuable time and resources are wasted. When a way forward is not evident, the path of least resistance is to throw more data at the problem. However, more information is not necessarily what is needed. Sometimes re-framing the problem or seeing alternatives solutions from completely unanticipated sources is essential.
How it works
- An individual crafts the dilemma
- The initial act of purposefully framing and communicating the dilemma is a key element to the process
- Click here to download a sample dilemma
- One person is chosen to “hold” the dilemma for the group.
- Inquiry
- Group members may only ask questions of the dilemma holder
- This encourages inquiry versus solution creation
- The group learns to ask more powerful questions and to adopt more responsive behaviors
- Reflection
- The dilemma holder as well as group members review questions asked to gain new insights.
- Dialogue
- The dilemma holder re-engages with the group for dialogue about new insights and possible resolution
What are the results?
- Harnesses the power of intellectual resources to deliver focus, clarity and solutions.
- Rewards and invites ongoing collaboration by allowing people to become vested in each other’s success.
- Builds effective communication by focusing on interacting productively, listening actively and thinking innovatively.
When to use?
- To make decisions regarding a balanced research portfolio and resources – incremental vs breakthrough.
- To determine which key projects to move forward.
- To determine optimal structure and staffing during a challenging downsizing or re-organization effort.
- To promote curiosity regarding technical issues that have enormous significance for the organization.