What are some tools we can use during the planning process?
Often, the “work” of planning can be done through group activities and exercises that get people thinking about the issues. There are many group activities that you can use; some will help your board members identify ideas and issues, others will help them analyze a specific problem. Here is a list of options that may appeal to your board: • Brainstorming: Brainstorming works any time a group needs to come up with a list of ideas as part of its problem-solving process. Ask members to generate, as a group, a free-flowing list of ideas on a certain topic, and record these ideas on a flipchart or on notepads. The list can focus on almost anything: current challenges, potential solutions, cause and effect, values and ideals, next steps. Ask the group to hold off on any discussion or judgment until after the list is complete. • Mind Mapping. This process helps break down a problem, showing the causes and effects of, and the relationships among its different aspects. It can also be used to b
