Step 2a: (Community/University Event) Holding the Story-Behind-the-Story Sessions (Dialogue)

The Think Tank team now brings together a diverse set of participants who use the problem scenario to explore a variety of "rival" interpretations. These sessions reveal how different players might be reading both the situation and each other and to draw out the insights of people (such as youth or low wage workers) who are rarely included in problem analyses, decision making, planning or policy. See how to hold a rivaling session.

The tapes of these discussions let the CMU team identify key rivals and revealing stories-behind-the-story on which the next series of Think Tank can build.

See how to hold a Story Behind the Story Session.
See an example of results from Story Behind the Story sessions.
For further resources, obtain the bibliography


Step 2b: (CMU task) Constructing the Decision Point Briefing Book (Writing)

The inquiry process in Steps 1 and 2 culminates in a Decision Point Briefing Book. It breaks the problem scenario into key decision points (that is, those moments which present each player with a crisis or turning point that calls for a decision, when even the choice to "not" act is a choice). The Briefing Book documents key findings, allows users to see the problem through the eyes of others, and then invites them to imagine options for action.

See how to search for Options and Outcomes.
See the Briefing Book for Negotiating the Culture of Work and Technology.
See the Briefing Book for the Food Service Think Tank (Coming soon!)