How to use this tool
This tool will help you to build action plans to make sure that you can change what is not working and keep what is working. Here are some tips for using the what’s working/not working tool.
When should I use this tool?
You can use this tool to:
- Examine a situation and analyze what’s happening in someone’s life to make sure that they are being supported in a way that makes sense to them and others
- Examine a situation and analyze what’s happening in someone’s life to make sure that they are being supported in a way that makes sense to them and others
- Create an action plan to improve a situation by building on what is working and changing what is not working
- Identify the things that are working and stop you from accidentally changing them
Who should I involve?
This tool works best when everyone works together so that the perspective of everyone who is involved is captured and action can be decided on as a group.
If you are using this tool with an individual then ask the person who they want to involve, such as family and staff members. The person may need some support beforehand to think things through from their own perspective.
If you are using this tool with a team, make sure that as many members of the team are involved as possible, so that everyone’s perspective is heard. You will need to think about a way of getting other people’s perspectives, or checking out your ‘best guesses’ with them.
What are the commonly made mistakes?
Sometimes, people associate ‘not working’ with doing something wrong or ‘failing’ – but this is not the case. ‘Not working’ is intended to identify those things that need to change, or to capture things that have been tried but that were not suitable for the person.
How do I create the right atmosphere?
If you are facilitating a meeting it’s important to create an atmosphere in which everyone feels that they can be honest and express how they are feeling. It can be useful to follow these three core principles of negotiations:
- Make sure that everyone is listened to (for example take it in turns to speak)
- Start with common ground and record all perspectives
- Be unconditionally constructive – don’t take sides!
Whose perspective should I start with?
When you are using the what is working/not working tool you should always start with looking at the situation from the focus person’s perspective and find out what they want to happen.
If you are best guessing on behalf of a person, always check out your assumptions afterwards with people who know the person well before taking action.