> Responding to LO721
>
> Professor Warfield:
>
> In your discussion of CONTENT, CONTEXT, and PROCESS, you indicated that by
> defining roles according to this triad, change efforts can avoid conflict.
> Please elaborate on that point. What conflicts are avoided and how?
>
> You also mentioned that having a computer to coordinate the change program
> activities is important to ensuring widespread success of the change
> effort. What does the computer do that is so critical?
>
> Rob Polster
>
> ********************************************************************
> Dr. Robert S. Polster Phone: 703-803-1899
> Richard S. Carson & Associates Fax: 703-803-1509
> Internet: rob_polster@smtplink.sra.com
> Mail: Suite 513
> 2144 California St., NW
> Washington, DC 20008
> USA
Dear Rob:
Glad you asked.
If I may, I'll take your last ? first. When a dedicated group of people
gather together to attack a complex issue collectively, they bring to the
table all of the pathologies of individuals and all of the pathologies of
groups. Any process that has been conceived without taking all of those
things into account will most likely fail to achieve much. Have you ever
been to a meeting that didn't achieve much?
The computer software only deals with some of those things. Here is what
the computer does: (a) It puts a question on the screen, which is
projected onto the wall where it is in full and easy view of the group.
(b) The question asks the group to consider how two ideas are
interrelated. (c) The type of relationship that is used was known to
everyone before they came. (d) The two ideas were previously generated by
the group, and then clarified. (e) After members have discussed and
responded to several of the questions posed, the computer carries out an
algorithm to determine if anything can be inferred from previous answers.
(f) Based on what the computer has learned, it chooses the next question
to ask using the criterion of achieving maximum minimum inference the next
time it gets an answer. (g) After the group has discussed and answered
each question, after Item f is completed, the computer chooses the next
question to ask, using the same criterion as in Item f. (h) When all
possible questions involving the group-generated elements have been
answered by the group, the machine computes the structure of their
answers. (i) The computer prints out the structural data so that a human
being can then draw the structure on a large wall where everyone can see
it.
Ultimately the workshop planners will present a thorough interpretation
and analysis of the structure.
By constantly keeping a question before the group, virtually all
individual and group pathologies are suppressed, and progress flows
smoothly to the end. Since the facilitator doesn't have to worry about
what to ask next, nor to pose any tasks to the group, the facilitator can
concentrate all his or her energy on group housekeeping activities. Since
the facilitiator doesn't have to contribute to CONTENT, there is time and
energy to exert constant quality control on the PROCESS and, if necessary
(as it is very infrequently) to intervene tomediate a problem, the
facilitator can do so without worrying about what happens next.
I am exhausted with this reply. Later I will reply again, in response to
your first question.
Good wishes,
JOHN WARFIELD
Jwarfiel@osf1.gmu.edu