3 Action Steps

This is a small-scale strategic planning session that helps groups and individuals to take action toward a desired change. It is often used at the end of a workshop or programme. The group discusses and agrees on a vision, then creates some action steps that will lead them towards that vision. The scope of the challenge is also defined, through discussion of the helpful and harmful factors influencing the group.

Learn how to apply this tool:

Master Class Digital Acceleration

Time frame
120-240min
Group size
2-40+
Facilitiation lvl
medium
How experience one should have to lead this exercise
Comfort zone
medium
How stressful or challenging this exercise can be for the group
Materials
Coloured Pens/Markers Plain A3 paper

Step 1:
Explain the purpose of the session. That the group or individuals are going to set a vision of the near future, then discuss and define action steps to reach it.

Sitting comfortably, with notebooks or paper and pens, say something like this to the group:

Close your eyes and imagine it is 6 months from now. Imagine you have accomplished everything you set out to accomplish. Think about what you’ve made and done over the six months. What work is like. What your relationships are like. What makes you happy.

Give participants pens and paper. They now draw their vision of the future on the right-hand side of the paper. Restrict them to 4 or 5 different themes that make up this vision, using few words but as many visuals as they like.

If they are in groups, they should discuss their respective visions and define a shared group vision.
Step 2:
Across the top of the page ask them to write at least 5 helpful factors that will support them to realize their vision. These might be people, opportunities, technologies, situations, etc.

If they are in groups, they should discuss these and arrive at a consensus before moving on.
Step 3:
Across the bottom of the page ask them to write at least 5 hindering factors that will support them to realize their vision. Again, these might be people, opportunities, technologies, situations, etc.

Again, if they are in groups, they should discuss these and arrive at a consensus before moving on.
Step 4:
Now the group or individuals are going to discuss and define the action steps. Ask them to draw three boxes from the left of the paper to the vision on the right. This will be the three big steps they need to take to reach their vision.

If they are working as individuals then put them into pairs to discuss their steps. If they are in groups already, then they can discuss the steps as they have been doing.

They write a step in each box, concisely, but with as much detail as they need to make it clear to themselves and others.
Step 5:
To close the session go around the group asking everyone to state their vision and one (or all three) action steps. Ask each person: What is the first thing you are going to do when you get back to the office.

Staff picks

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IDOARRT Meeting Design

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Stinky Fish

A short activity to run early in a program, focused on sharing fears, anxieties and uncertainties related to the program theme. The purpose is to create openness within a group. The stinky fish is a metaphor for "that thing that you carry around but don’t like to talk about; but the longer you hide it, the stinkier it gets." By putting stinky fish (fears and anxieties) on the table, participants begin relate to each other, become more comfortable sharing, and identify a clear area for development and learning.

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This exercise is useful for bringing groups together, to create interpersonal bonds, and to build trust. Participants stand opposite each other and have 30 seconds to give appreciative feedback to the other person. The group rotates until everyone has given feedback to everyone else. It is often used as part of wrap-up activities, to create an energized feeling to leave with.

Methods & Tools curated by Hyper Island

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3 Action Steps

Learn how to apply this tool:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

Staff picks

Apple-Drawing Ideation

IDOARRT Meeting Design

Stinky Fish

Crocodile River

Action Plan Workshop: The Arrow

Appreciation Train

I want to know more about using these tools and the Hyper Island methods.

3 Action Steps

Learn how to apply this tool:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

Sources and Related

Share

Staff picks

Apple-Drawing Ideation

IDOARRT Meeting Design

Stinky Fish

Crocodile River

Action Plan Workshop: The Arrow

Appreciation Train

I want to know more about using these tools and the Hyper Island methods.