In order to really understand a situation including the thoughts, needs, problems and hopes of the people you are innovating for, one of the easiest and most direct ways is to talk to them. Empathic interviews are a gentle and effective way to do that.
“Open Sentences” is an easy-to-lead interactive process in pairs. It is a structure for spontaneous expression and attentive listening. The Open Sentences Process helps explore a topic and often brings to light surprising thoughts, feelings, and new ideas.
The act of group remembering, looking back over a just-completed workshop or project, can be a bonding way of synthesizing an experience, particularly one that is complicated.
After a program, course, or project, the organizing team can use this method to reflect on each person’s role and effectiveness. A powerful tool for internal use amongst a team that has worked closely and trusts each other.
This technique from Wolfgang and Eberhard Schnelle can be used as a facilitation method for groups and as a communication model. This technique develops opinions, builds a common understanding and objectives, and helps formulate recommendations and action plans to focus on a problem and its possible solutions.