Re: Data selection

RIELEY JAMES (RIELEY@MUSIC.LIB.MATC.EDU)
Mon, 16 Jan 95 13:09:14 CST

>
>> /---/ I select DATA from what I observe
>>/---/ OBSERVABLE DATA (as a camera might capture it)
>
>Has anyone figured out how some people have selected the same data
>from observable data as other people have? I wonder if a management
>consultant could go into an organization and figure out which people
>have the same selection structure as the management consultant. Then
>the MC could "network smarter" than just choosing anyone to aid in
>changing the organization.
>
>Andrew Moreno amoreno@cyberspace.org amoreno@unixg.ubc.ca
>
A process to determine what data has been selected that is effective
is a modification of the affinity process. Using Post-its,
participants record observable data (as they perceive it) onto the
Post-its. These are then grouped to determine data areas that are
common. An alternate to the use of Post-its is Hexagonal planning
units. Use of the Hex units gives less structure and more
perceived affinity in the selection of data observed.
With either method, the next steps are to develop headers (cluster
cores) to determine the cultural and personal meanings.

James B. Rieley
Coordinator E-Mail: RIELEY@MUSIC.LIB.MATC.EDU
Center for Continuous Quality Improvement
Milwaukee Area Technical College Phone: (414) 297-7806
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1443 Fax: (414) 297-7764

-----
Host's Note:

The method with Post-It's that James mentions is closely related to an
important quality tool, the K-J Method or "Affinity Diagram" and I
recommend the method. The step where Post-It's are grouped is especially
important; to me the idea is to let the model emerge from the data by
seeing what facts seem to cluster together. This helps avoid the great
danger that our pre-conceived notions may sneak in as categories and we
will tend to see data that consistent with these. See a good quality text
for info; I don't know which one to recommend.

The Hexagons -- I attended a wonderful course on group facilitation using
moveable magnetic hexagons. You write a point on the Hex, then move it to
change it's juxtaposition with other points. It was put on by
Gould-Kreutzer Associates, Cambridge MA USA. (I don't think they are on
e-mail).

And, hexagonal post-its of *just* the right size for facilitating groups
are available from Vision Works, P.O. box 581727, Minneapolis, MN 55458,
phone and fax (612) 381-1939. (Excellent, but not cheap -- an intro
package of four pads was $29.95)

-- Rick Karash, rkarash@world.std.com, host for learning-org