Collaborative Problem Solving

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Collaborative Problem Solving

• Situation Assessment for Process Design

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Objectives Participants Will...

• Understand some principles of successful
  collaborative processes
• Learn how to gather information for designing and
  convening a collaborative process
• Become familiar with conditions for controversy
  surrounding public issues

3
Objectives Participants Will...

• Learn situation mapping
• Learn to use a stakeholder matrix
• Learn to use a situation assessment instrument

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Principles of Collaborative Problem Solving

• Purpose-Driven
• Inclusive
• Educational
• Voluntary
• Self-Designed
• Flexible

• Egalitarian
• Respectful
• Accountable
• Time Limited
• Attainable

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Information for Process Design

• Assessment of the issues
• Assessment of the stakeholders
• Assessment of process potential

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Issues Situation Mapping

• A situation map is a visualization tool
• It maps the elements and relationships of a
  situation
• Elements are parties, issues, and activities --
  nouns
• Relationships are verbs on lines that connect
  elements

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Downtown Redevelopment Plan
Regional growth
Suburban growth
Downtown Revitalization
Sense of community
Regional light rail plan
Downtown business owners
Business expansion retention
Affordable housing
Service workers
Chamber of Commerce
Downtown residents
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Drawing a Situation Map -- Possible Questions

• What are the central issues in the situation?
• Who are the key stakeholders in this situation?
  How do they interact?
• What actions, behaviors, or practices should be
  included?
• What connects with what? In what way or direction?

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Drawing a Situation Map -- Possible Questions

• Where is the system bounded?
• What is inside the system?
• What is outside the system?
• What happens when the boundary changes?
• What are the dynamic forces driving the system?
• What are possible consequences (intended and
  unintended)?
• Are there sub-systems within the system?

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Understanding the Issues

• How does each party describe its own issues?
• Do issues differ for those who have authority and
  those who seek to influence the decision?
• Are there secondary issues that can affect the
  process or the outcome?
• What policies are part of the situation?

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Understanding the Issues

• Does resolution of the issue require a division
  or reallocation of fixed resources?
• Do the issues involve people, organizations and
  institutions beyond the local scale?
• Can the issues be framed to address the concerns
  of all the parties?
• Are data and information at the heart of the
  issue?

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Conditions for Controversy

• The issue touches an important aspect of people's
  lives
• Stakeholders are capable of taking action
• The issue affects different community members
  differently
• Public officials and citizens lack close and
  continuous contact

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Conditions for Controversy

• The issue extends beyond the immediate community
• Local activists gain support and information from
  vertically integrated groups

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Stakeholder Rule of Thumb
Stakeholders are those who...

• Are affected by the outcome of a decision
• Can affect the outcome of a decision (have the
  potential or power to obstruct a decision or its
  implementation
• Have the authority to make and/or implement the
  decision

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Understanding Stakeholders

• Who are the primary stakeholders?
• Who are the secondary stakeholders?
• How are the stakeholder groups organized?
• Are the stakeholders interdependent?
• Relationship between stakeholders productive or
  conflictive?

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Understanding Stakeholders

• Can any stakeholder block decisions that they do
  not approve?
• Can each stakeholder sustain his/her involvement
  over time?
• Prior experience with collaborative processes?

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Stakeholder Matrix
Topic s
Start with interests,
then add names and organizations
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Topic Watershed Plan
Economic development
Farming
Wildlife protection
Flood abatement
Stormwater control
Private property rights
Water quality
Housing
Tourism/recreation
Forestry/Timber
Land conservation
Name/Organization
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Topic Watershed Plan
Economic development
Farming
Wildlife protection
Flood abatement
Stormwater control
Private property rights
Water quality
Housing
Tourism/recreation
Forestry/Timber
Land conservation
Name/Organization
Homeowner Association
Game Fish Agency
Homebuilders
Farm Bureau
Chamber of Commerce
Sierra Club
Forestry Association
Local Government
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Topic Watershed Plan
Economic development
Farming
Wildlife protection
Flood abatement
Stormwater control
Private property rights
Water quality
Housing
Tourism/recreation
Forestry/Timber
Land conservation
Name/Organization
Homeowner Association
X
X
X
X
Game Fish Agency
X
X
X
Homebuilders
X
Farm Bureau
X
Chamber of Commerce
X
X
X
Sierra Club
X
Forestry Association
X
X
X
X
Local Government
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Topic Watershed Plan
Economic development
Farming
Wildlife protection
Flood abatement
Stormwater control
Private property rights
Water quality
Housing
Tourism/recreation
Forestry/Timber
Land conservation
Name/Organization
Homeowner Association
X
X
X
X
Game Fish Agency
X
X
X
Homebuilders
X
Farm Bureau
X
Chamber of Commerce
X
X
X
Sierra Club
X
Forestry Association
X
X
X
X
Local Government
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Situation Assessment

• Are the issues clear?
• Is timing appropriate?
• Can participants be identified?
• What is the history of the situation?
• Level of trust?

• Level of contention?
• Political support for resolution?
• Resources available for collaboration?
• Key decision makers willing to use the process?

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Your Tasks

• Issues Group
• Using a situation map that you develop together,
  describe the elements and relationships
• Stakeholder Group
• Identify the stakeholders and the challenges of
  representation
• Assessment Group
• Use the Situation Assessment Instrument to
  evaluate whether to pursue a collaborative
  approach identify potential challenges or
  pitfalls