Reviewing with ropes
Group facilitation methods: Analysis, Closings, Evaluation of Work, Openings, Reflection / Dialogue
Keywords: active preview, active review, reviewing process against a goal, rope
Identification
The goal of this process is to get an evaluation of how the participants individually, or as a group succeeded with a certain activity.
This method is used to evaluate the progress of a group, or the individuals within an activity.
Howto
This method offers a number of variations, of which the two most common ones will be described here. For more variations, please see the original homepage.
Objective line.
This method is recommended for reviewing processes of an idivudual against a goal.
As a first, preparational step, each individual places his/her rope on the ground in front of them, in a straight line. The near point represents their starting point, being the Now, and the far end depicts their goal for the next activity, for a program, or anything similar.
Now the facilitator asks each person to walk along their line, towards the future, pausing every now and then for thoughts of what might happen, and how that might make them feel. When everybody has finished the "journey" they are asked to find a partner in order to talk about their journey and goal, one after the other.
After this first "active previewing" part, the planned activity, program etc. can start, and as soon as participants have made progress (at the end of the activity, or in between) they can return to their objective lines. Here they can, with or without the partner measure their progress by choosing where to stand on the line. This is a self-assesment that is instantly visible for themselves and others. The facilitator can now ask questions in order to help people reflect on their position, or to notice others'. Now the facilitator can either encourage a group discussion, or initiate a talk to a partner.
Spokes.
This method is recommended for reviewing processes against a group-related goal.
For this variation of the "Objective line", each rope is palced on the ground in a way that it makes the spokes of a wheel.
The outer ends of the ropes are the starting points for the individuals, and the center represents the (group)goal. With this method listening to others, or supporting them, talking, providing leadership, clear thinking, or many things alike can be evaluated.
The facilitator should draw attention to the fact that everybody should decide on their own position, whithout getting influenced from others. As soon as everybody is position, participants can exchange opinions about the positions of others. Mostly this leads to positive feedback, as others invite individuals to come closer to the center, but it might also lead to criticism when asking someone to move away from the center. The facilitator should establish if this is wanted/allowed beforehand.
Alternative: The spokes can be imaginary. Start off with everyone standing in a circle facing the centre. Ask them to imagine they are each standing half way along a spoke that leads into the centre of the circle.
