Adaptive Strategy Workshop

Introduction

This workshop is to accompany the Adaptive Strategy article in a practical way and also enhances the Systems Thinking Workshop with the application of strategic goals and initiatives to solve a problem space.

Learning Objectives

• Causal Loop Diagrams
• Systems thinking approaches to derive strategic goals
• Incorporating an evolutionary strategy into Lean Startup techniques

Timings

• The workshop is intended to take 1-1.5 hours

Materials

• Whiteboards
• Markers
• Business Model Canvas sheets one for each attendee
• Pack of problem scenario cards

Workshop Flow

Connections

1. Ask pairs of attendees to choose one from a selection of cards that illustrate a problem scenario
2. Ask the pairs to briefly discuss the scenario and begin to explore the contributing factors

Concepts

1. Provide a quick walk through of causal loop diagrams working through a relatively simple example
2. Engage the attendees to elaborate the diagram further as a wider group

Concrete Practice

1. In their pairs ask the attendees to begin to draw their own causal loop diagrams for their particular scenario
2. When the diagrams look to be getting to a fully formed state, as the attendees to begin to identify areas of interest in the diagrams
3. Challenge the attendees to identify reinforcing loops and opposing dynamics in their respective systems
4. Ask the attendees to begin to craft a strategy to implement a remedy to the problem space using a Lean canvas or similar with respect to the opposing dynamics they have uncovered

Closing

1. Finish the exercise with a market place for the pairs to visit other pairs and discuss their journey and findings
2. A group based debrief to raise the common challenges and surprises along the way and how these might be applied in real life scenarios
3. Provide a brief introduction to a Lean Startup approach to incorporate their strategy and highlight the shifting patterns and the iterative nature of an evolving strategy approach