If you were to facilitate (or brief a facilitator) to create a ‘rich picture’ with your key stakeholders, how would you do that?

Define the Problem: Start by clearly defining the problem or situation that needs to be addressed. This should be a broad definition that allows for different perspectives and interpretations.

Identify Stakeholders: Identify who the key stakeholders are. These are the people who have a vested interest in the problem or situation. They could be internal (employees, managers) or external (customers, suppliers, regulators).

Brief the Facilitator: If you're not facilitating the session yourself, brief the facilitator about the problem, the stakeholders, and the purpose of the rich picture. Make sure they understand the context and what you hope to achieve.

Set the Scene: At the start of the session, explain to the stakeholders what a rich picture is and how it can help to understand and solve the problem. Make sure everyone understands that it's a collaborative process and that all views and ideas are welcome.

Brainstorm: Start the session by brainstorming ideas. Encourage stakeholders to think about the problem from different perspectives and to consider all aspects of it. This could include people, processes, technology, environment, etc.

Draw the Picture: Once you have a range of ideas, start to draw the rich picture. This should be a visual representation of the problem that includes all the elements identified in the brainstorming session. Use symbols, images, and diagrams to represent different elements and show the relationships between them.

Review and Refine: Once the initial picture is drawn, review it with the stakeholders and refine it as necessary. This is a collaborative process, so encourage feedback and suggestions from all participants.

Use the Picture: Once the rich picture is complete, use it to facilitate discussion and problem-solving. It should help to clarify the problem, identify potential solutions, and build a shared understanding among stakeholders.

Follow Up: After the session, share the rich picture with all stakeholders and use it as a reference point in future discussions and decision-making processes. It's a living document that can be updated and refined as the situation evolves or as new information becomes available.