The power of ORID

I'm pleased to be trained in a number of facilitation methodologies. Amongst them is Group Faciltation Methods, via the Technology of Participation from the Institute of Cultural Affairs.

 

We spent the entire first day of the training looking at focussed conversations, and in particular the ORID framework.

 

ORID is a frameowrk that helps a group to develop a deeper understanding of their experiences. Often actions emerge as a result of this shared reflection. I find it to be a particularly elegant and grounding way of rounding off a facilitation session or meeting.

 

ORID stands for Objective, Reflective, Interpretive and Decisional.

 

As the facilitator it's important to tailor your questions relevant to the topic in hand.

 

Here are some ideas for using ORID to conclude a meeting.

 

Objective questions capture and identify facts.

What have you noticed today?

What ideas caught your attention?

 

Reflective questions get to the core of our feelings.

- How do you feel about the information we just shared?

- How would you describe the collective mood of today's session?

- What is your gut telling you about the session?

 

Interpretive questions address the 'So what', the meaning of what just took place. - What was your key insight?

- What did you learn?

- What does that mean for you, your team, the company (for example)?

 

Decisional questions ask, 'Now what?'

- How has this experience changed your thinking? - What will you do as a result? - What are your next steps?