Engagement methods
Qualitative methods: visioning
Description
While there is no set model, all visioning events have a similar aim. Visioning usually brings together a diverse group of people to discuss, identify and agree a desired future for an area, organisation or service. Many visioning approaches also start to plan how that vision should be implemented.
When to use
A visioning exercise can be useful when an organisation is seeking to create and agree a future direction for itself, a service or an area. This means that it is appropriate when:
- An organisation is open to new ideas
- An organisation is geared up to accept and implement major change
- A set of policy options have not been drawn up, discussed and agreed
Strengths
- It can be seen as a high profile commitment to working in partnership with different organisations and the community
- It can build trust and commitment across different organisations and the community
- It is a good way of involving people at an early stage of a decision-making process
Weaknesses
- The creation of the vision and the implementation plan can lack rigour, failing to take account of the vast range of factors that can affect decision-making
- Visioning is an open and transparent process which means that risks need to identified and managed
- The right people and organisations need to be involved in the process if the vision is to have a chance of being delivered
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