Strategy Knotworking (SKW)

Introduction: Share the structuring invitation. Explain the process. The group will explore six questions and capture results on the SKW template, using sticky notes so they can be updated and moved around. At the end, the group will be able to tell the strategy story by talking through the six questions. Display the SKW template and hand out copies. [Participants draw their own copy] (3 min.)

Question 1 (Purpose): Ask “What is the fundamental justification and deepest need for our work?” Define the group’s purpose by using 1-2-4-All.

1. Paired Interviews. First alone, then in pairs [alone only], participants reflect on the question “Why does our work truly matter, both to us and to the wider world?” (10 min. F2F, 5 min. online)

2. Draft Purpose. Pairs join to form quartets [breakouts of three] and share their ideas, stories, and perspectives for ten minutes. Next, they draft a purpose statement on their template and prepare to share their purpose drafts with the whole group. [Broadcast instructions to all groups. The host visits breakouts to check group dynamics and make sure they are on track] (20 min.)

3. Sharing and Finalizing Draft Purposes. Everyone returns to plenary. A few small groups share their ideas. Consolidate them into one purpose and write it on the shared SKW template. Have participants generate ideas about how they will know they are making progress on the purpose, using this format: “We are making progress on our purpose when (who) does (what) and that creates (desired outcome).” (30 min.)

Question 2 (Baseline): Ask “Where are we starting from, honestly?” Use Ecocycle Planning to establish the baseline for existing capabilities, actions, and relationships. Place the Ecocycle at the center of the shared SKW template. Everyone can refer back to and refine the Ecocycle as they move through the other questions. (60 min.)

Question 3 (Context): Ask “What is happening around us that demands creative change? What do we have to pay attention to?” Use Critical Uncertainties to help the group see different futures unfolding, prepare for distributed action, and be resilient to disruptions. Everyone places the robust and hedging strategies they have identified on the shared SKW template. Everyone can refer back to it when they get to Question 5. (90 min.)

Interlude and Break: Explain the process. For each additional element, the group will break into small groups and then return to share discoveries and add them to the shared template. The process is not always linear, and the group may need to revisit and revise earlier steps, particularly Purpose, as they gain new insights. Everyone takes a quick break. (10–20 min.)

Question 4 (Challenge/Paradox): Ask “What are the equally important yet competing pressures or demands we must face in order to make progress?” Use Wicked Questions to identify paradoxical or competing pressures that need to be addressed simultaneously, or swap in another LS such as Creative Destruction. (30 min.)

Question 5 (Ambition): Ask “Given what has emerged from the first four questions, what seems possible now?” Follow these steps or use 25/10 Crowdsourcing or Future~Present to identify bold yet actionable ideas for next steps. (50 min. total)

1. Intro. As a group, review everything captured in the SKW template. Ask “Do we need to adjust our purpose? What patterns do you notice that make a current strategy obsolete or open a new door?” (10 min.)

2. Individual Reflection. Participants list bold yet actionable next steps, which could be small or large. (10 min.)

3. Compare Ideas in Groups. Participants form quartets to compare their ideas and select the best ideas to bring to the full group. (10 min.)

4. Share Ideas. Everyone returns to plenary. A few small groups share their ideas. Add key options to the SKW template as a first draft of the group’s potential strategy. (20 min.)

Question 6 (Action & Evaluation): Ask “What is our next step and how will we know if we are making progress?” (60 min.)

1. Intro. Invite the group to consider next steps and how they will know they are making progress on possibilities they have identified. (3 min.)

2. Share Ideas in Groups. Participants return to the same groups from Question 5 and develop strategies and next steps. Ask “What limited number of strategies should we prioritize for immediate action? What are our next steps for each strategy? How will we know we are making progress with each strategy and ensure they serve our purpose?” (20 min.)

3. Finalizing Ideas. Everyone returns to plenary. A few groups share their ideas. Add key options to the SKW template to create the final draft of the group’s strategy. As a group, discuss how the strategies will work together to amplify results. Use an Ecocycle template to track and evaluate progress and a visual tracking tool like a kanban board to track timing and coordinate actions. (30 min.)

Setting Future Milestones: The group decides when to review and adjust the strategic plan. (5 min.)