Hexagon Mapping Techniques – Nuggets of Learning
Posted by Reggie James | Filed under Learning & Development
The world is full of books on management processes and principals when it comes to tackling difficult questions within a group environment. The Brain has two distinct sides, or hemispheres, the Left Brain vs the Right Brain, each responsible for different things. Most of these processes involve taking a Left sided view of the Brain or a Right sided approach. Very rarely is there a ‘whole’ brain approach.
Enter Hexagon Mapping. The event was attended by a diverse group ranging from Theatre Directors to Book Publishers and also included a number of learning and development consultants looking to benefit from this business process.
The process of arriving at an answer through a collaborative process where everyone has input and from which a strategy can be created for moving forward. I attended a session on Hexagon Mapping Techniques at the Bar des Arts in Guildford that was led by the dynamic Beverlie Wilkinson who was supported by the equally charismatic and creative, Kate Bendy. Both Beverlie & Kate are principals at fast growing learning & development company, Nuggets of Learning and Development. Nuggets of Learning and Development are a boutique consultancy based in Bramley Surrey.
The objectives of the programme focussed on four main areas:
- Think strategically as a group
- Visual representation of the thinking
- Bringing ideas and people together to reach consensus
- Encourage participation without confrontation
Stage 1 – Initiation
The first stage was to define the objective of the process. This involved a trigger question that would generate some basic ideas and get the ball rolling. Our group had the question, “How to build and maintain effective relationships in business”. This definaition involved:
- Decision making
- Problem solving
- Creative thinking
- Group discussion
- Creating a framework
Stage 2 – Divergent Thinking
This stage is where each member of the group is asked for one idea which was captured on a hexagon. This process continued till the group has collated approximately 48 hexagons.
Stage 3 – Emergent Thinking
The groups stands in front of all the hexagons and sees where there may be a natural pairing.
Stage 4 – Convergent Thinking
The group then labels the hexagon clusters using words that capture and reflect each cluster.
Stage 5 – Review and reflect
The group reflects on the process and decides on the next steps.
This process provided an excellent process that allows space for individuals in a group to think, participate and reflect on a decision making process that they feel they are all truly part of.
Unlike other direct response mechanisms such as Brainstorming, Hexagon Mapping allows for a strong and natural process to take place that creates tangible results.
Camera: Nexus S Google Mobile Phone
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