ConvergentInquiry

Ask, "And if you had the solution to that problem, what would that give you?" The answer to that question is usually a more important result than the result they initially presented.

Keep iterating that question on the answer until you get convergence. The convergent answer (the answer that has no further answers behind it) is the real goal.

For example, try these steps:

Ask, "I think I understand the problem now, let me see. Is it this? (then restate the problem).
Then ask, "Would you be willing to explore this with me for a moment? To see what the implications are?" This is an important step. It defines the process as collaborative and short.
Then ask "what would you have if you had that" question. When they answer, restate it back to them and check "Do I have that right?"
Then do it again, a couple of times.
If you haven't converged to an answer in two or three steps, then something else is going on that requires a mutual decision as to whether you both are willing to continue in more depth.

Once convergence is reached, then we're ready to state the problem concisely. We know there is nothing under it, we actually have our arms around the real thing. Once the problem is stated, then it's possible to start structuring solutions.

This approach reminds me of the 5 Whys that I had read about in The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook (pp 108 - 112). They also talk of convergence. I like your phrasing better: "what would you have if you were successful?" rather than just: "why?" BobKing

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Updated: Wednesday, July 25, 2001