tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844510344016016899.post7942264846150558013..comments2024-03-28T19:36:33.870+13:00Comments on Katrina the Tester: How to get feedback on a strategyKatrina Clokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13817473142273516519noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844510344016016899.post-63264412621544868672014-05-23T22:42:28.129+12:002014-05-23T22:42:28.129+12:00Awesome post Katrina! In the past, I have been di...Awesome post Katrina! In the past, I have been disappointed in the attention given to strategy documents. This post made me realize I could talk it up, and get better feedback AND better engagement. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844510344016016899.post-66959951782454459542014-05-23T20:37:52.611+12:002014-05-23T20:37:52.611+12:00Hi Katrina,
Having been present at this workshop,...Hi Katrina,<br /><br />Having been present at this workshop, I'll offer a few opinions on why your first statement didn't elicit the level of discussion you perhaps hoped for.<br /><br />First, you introduced it as "an easy one to start" (or something like that). I'm not sure whether this was intentionally a bit of a trick, but I think it meant that a lot of people switched off, and didn't think too critically about it. By implying it wasn't a difficult decision, you unconsciously endorsed the use of unthinking instinct. I'm not saying this is a good response, but I think it played a part.<br /><br />Second, I think that the nature of the exercise to some extent promotes agreement. While there was an option of "cannot reach agreement", the environment was congenial and the groups were made up of colleagues with existing relationships. This meant that the groups tended towards reaching a useful compromise, rather than resorting to what appeared to be little more than an unhelpful "it depends".<br /><br />In particular, I felt personally that in some cases you knew what MY response to the statements would be (given our close working relationship), and so while I asked what I felt would be pertinent questions, I didn't want to overtly influence the unknown opinions of others in my group - despite, in a couple of cases, the groups decision not 100% reflecting my own thoughts (or, more accurately, being too definitive to play well with my hesitant doubts).<br /><br />Finally, I think that the statement you were surprised to discover universal acquiescence with is less absolute than it might initially appear. A mind map IS an easy way to present my test ideas to other people. It's not ALWAYS an easy way, and in some cases it is NOT an easy way. If you'd said "is always" or even "a mind map makes it easy to present my test ideas to other people", you might have found more resistance. But the "an" implies - rightly or wrongly - other options, which made people comfortable with suggestion that yes, a mind map can be an easy way - even if it isn't always.<br /><br />Ultimately though, I think this is a good way for gauging people's ideas on certain topics. The above points are worth considering when using it though - particularly the second one.<br /><br />The option to disagree is important, but the dynamics between the people there are crucial in how or when that option gets exercised. In a less congenial environment, the questions above might have elicited far more "cannot reach agreement" responses.<br /><br />At the same time though, this tendency to promote agreement (or universal disagreement) is probably a plus point for this technique. Any strategy will likely involve compromise from one side or another, and allowing the parties involved to actively debate and, importantly, potentially resolve them is a fantastic tactic.<br /><br />You also know then that - unless the atmosphere is very hostile and all answers are "cannot reach agreement" - that those questions or statements which do divide opinion are likely those where further investigation of options or compromises may be required.<br /><br />As usual though, an interesting post :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com