ED BRENEGAR - COMMUNITY OF LEADERSHIP Programs

Compelling Visions Visioning Processes: A Fresh Approach to Planning

THE ORIGIN OF Compelling Visions

The Compelling Visions Visioning Process is a response to the need I found in many organizations for a method of strategic planning that could engage a large segment, if not all, of their constituents. It was my experience that too often planning was simply projecting current realities into the future, and, therefore, merely the organization of programs and activities. My assessment of these organizations is that they lacked any clear sense of the potential impact they could have. Therefore, they were underutilizing the resources they already had. I began to develop this method as an untrained member of a non-profit board of directors. A dozen years later, I see organizations being transformed by strategic planning through the application of my Compelling Visions methodology.

THE PURPOSE OF A Compelling Vision

The purpose of a Compelling Visions Vision is to establish a plan for the future of the organization that builds enthusiastic commitment and participation that is a clear reflection of the organizationÕs core values. A Compelling Visions Vision Statement is a concise, emotionally compelling picture of the organization at the height of its effectiveness.

THE Compelling Visions METHOD

A Visual Description
A Compelling Visions Vision is a visual description of the impact of an organization's mission and program. Imagine what a video depiction of your organization's future would look like. See the effects of the actions taken previously that result in this current state of effectiveness. This is the perspective that enables organizations to focus their energies and resources into those areas most likely to produce successful results. Effective planning is not a catalogue of activities and processes, but a clear, engaging picture of the organization's impact.

A Conversation About Your Core Values
A Compelling Visions Vision is a product of enhanced skills in communication and reflection upon the core values of the organization. These values represent the essential purpose and identity of the organization, and are the basis for the benefits that customers or constituents receive. In the future, organizational success will be increasingly determined by how well people work together toward shared vision of the future. The focal point of the planning process is the facilitated conversation about a set of questions related to the values and expectations of people for their organization. This conversation can occur with hundreds of people or a few. The responses are interpreted in a vision document. Then the Compelling Visions Vision is celebrated as a compelling picture of the future. A Compelling Visions Vision is an important step toward creating an environment of trust, enthusiastic commitment, and collaborative leadership.

THE STRUCTURE OF A Compelling Visions VISION PLAN

Typically, a plan will consist of the following four areas:

Vision Statement: A brief statement that is the essence of the organization's vision of the future.
Vision Goals: Few, high leverage goals that focuses the organization's energies on the highest priorities for the future.
Vision Strategies: Within each goal, there will be several strategies designed to achieve each goal.
Vision Initiatives: Specific steps for the achievement of each strategy that are measurable, time defined, and accountable.

HOW DOES A Compelling Visions PROCESS WORK?

1. A Visioning Committee is Formed
A Visioning process begins with the formation of a committee and the organization of the process. The process can be conducted in a retreat atmosphere, or through a more comprehensive survey of the organizationÕs constituency. The committee should consider themselves as a group of listeners who will interpret what they have heard. For this purpose the character of the committee is key to its success. Each person must be willing to suspend judgment, and lay aside personal agendas in order to allow the process to function effectively.

2. A Constituent Conversation about the Future is Conducted
There are several approaches to how the Visioning Committee listens to their constituents. The one that produces the best results consists of meetings of 10-12 people, led by trained facilitators and recorders from the organization. A survey is designed that forms the parameters of the conversation. Greater insight emerges from survey conversations than from individually answered ones. The conversation is very important for clearly understanding the constituentÕs perspective on the future. The retreat methodology differs only in that an anonymous survey is given to the participants, with their responses compiled unedited, and return prior to the retreat. This provides a way to enable members to articulate their thoughts, and to see the range of ideas present in their group. Ordinarily, in a day-long retreat environment, a vision will be drafted, and a set of actions steps identified.

3. Write a Vision Plan
Utilizing the structure outlined above, interpret what you have heard. It is essential that the Vision InitiativeÕs section be complete. It is this section that ultimately turns constituent aspirations into clear actions to be taken.

4. Celebrate your Compelling Visions Vision
Upon completion, the Vision is presented to the constituents in a Celebration event. The focus of this Celebration is two-fold. First, it affirms to your constituents that you heard them. Second, it provides an experience that clarifies what the effect of the organization should be in the future. From this celebration comes increased enthusiasm and commitment to achieve the vision.

THE TIMEFRAME OF A Compelling Visions VISIONING PROCESS

A Compelling Visions Visioning Process can be done in as short of a time as three hours, and as long as 10-12 months, depending upon the organizationÕs planning needs. A retreat will require approximately six weeks lead time. A longer process where a large number of persons are organized into small discussion groups will take a minimum of three months preparation.

Dr. Ed Brenegar / Community of Leadership Programs
210 Wood Dale Drive, Hendersonville NC 28791 - 828/693-0720 voice/fax - 828/275-1803 mobile - ed@edbrenegar.com

© Copyright 2002 Ed Brenegar