Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a model that seeks to engage stakeholders in self-determined change. Rather than focusing on negating problems, AI focuses on identifying and leveraging an organization's core strengths. It is used to foster positive development and transformation, encouraging collaborative and participatory processes. This approach helps organizations increase their capacity for positive change and improve their performance by promoting a positive view of the future.
Define: Clarify the area of focus and what will be explored during the inquiry. | Discover: Identify and appreciate the best of 'what is' by collecting stories and examples that illustrate the organization's strengths. | Dream: Envision 'what could be' by imagining a future where these strengths are maximized and new potentials are realized. | Design: Plan 'what should be' by creating propositions of the ideal organization, building on its strengths identified in the discovery phase. | Destiny/Deliver: Implement the proposed design and sustain the change by ensuring that the new strategies are embedded in the organization.
Ensure broad and diverse participation | Maintain a clear focus on positive aspects | Use storytelling to share and discover strengths
Focuses on strengths rather than weaknesses | Encourages participation and collaboration | Creates a positive organizational culture
May overlook serious problems by focusing too much on positives | Can be time-consuming | May not be suitable for addressing urgent crises
Organizational change initiatives | Team building and development
Crisis situations requiring immediate, corrective actions | When a comprehensive analysis of failures is needed