facilitation manual

mg taylor modeling language
explore a brief explanation of the models.


creating the problem model ....................example

How many times have you found yourself fully immersed in a project, only to discover that the real problem lies elsewhere and that you are treating only a symptom? Too often we attack what we perceive to be problems without considering the bigger picture. Too often we spend tremendous resources in energy and money to duplicate the work of others, simply because we did not take the time to discover if others could help us. Too often we go into a project assuming that the whole team shares a vision, only to realize later that we had very little common understanding to begin with. These kinds of situations underscore the need, before all else, to create the problem that you are trying to solve.

Elements of the Model-

Condition-
These are the existing conditions before you begin the creative process. Notice that these conditions, in and of themselves, are merely conditions. They are not the problem. These conditions are in constant flux and will change as the creative process advances.

Vision-
This is your vision for an ideal future state. In creating this vision, take into account your personal experiences, insights and views of reality.

Problem-
The problem is created when you discover a gap between reality and your vision for a new reality. The problem is neither current conditions nor the vision. Rather, it is the discrepancy between them.

Creative Tension-
The creative tension that comes into being when you decide to resolve the problem is the interplay between vision and reality. As the two tug and pull at each other, they will each change and modify in an effort to reach a synthesis.

This model highlights a number of factors that are important to consider when you go about creating problems for yourself. First, current conditions are NOT problems. Second, the difference between your vision and current conditions (not the opposite--the "practicality" of your vision) drives the creative process so do not temper your vision with reason--create what you really want to create. Third, share your vision, choose the important elements, and work to create a common vision that incorporates and adds to the personal visions of the entire group. And lastly, be very clear about what the current conditions are. There is no reason to deceive yourself here. Current conditions are what they are, not what you or others would like them to be. By rigorously creating the problem before you begin a creative process, you will clearly define the parameters of your work and will drastically increase your chances of success.

Think back to projects that you have been involved with, whether individual or group projects, that have failed or have taken much more time and effort than they should have. How many of the difficulties you encountered involved an unclear vision or misunderstood conditions? How many projects had a vision that was actually very similar to the conditions that already existed? This model attempts to avert these kinds of difficulties by clarifying the parts of the creative process that are often left unspoken.

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