These are some large group interventions I use to help organizations manage change.

1. Large Group Interventions
Tools for Innovation
Angelo John Lewis

2. LARGE GROUP METHODS FOR
CREATING THE FUTURE
Principles:
• Participant – not consultant – driven
• Involves the whole system: internal and external
• Foster vision, energy and commitment from all

3. Organization Development Strategies for System-Wide
Change
Traditional Data Collection Whole-System Interactive
and Feedback Methods Events
Theory Base Action research Open systems theory
Purpose Improved organizational Alignment around a
effectiveness strategic direction, work
redesign, system-wide
issues
Data Base
Source Internal to Organization and
organization external stakeholders
Widely Shared
Availability Limited to units
Responsibility and Driven by senior Broadly shared by senior
Accountability management management with whole
system
Time Slow: Waterfall process by Fast: Rapid response to
level data
Learning About: Individual or unit The organization as a
functioning system
Consultant Role Central to: Structures and Facilitates
Data collection Data Collection
Data interpretation Data Analysis
Data feedback Action Taking
process
Change Potential Sequential incremental Simultaneous fundamental
change change
Barbara Benedict Bunker and Billie T. Alban, Large
Group Interventions

4. Method #1: Open Space Technology
 Used to gather diverse opinions
 5 – 1,000 participants, over 1 –
5 days
 Participants create the agenda
 Meetings proceedings can be
captured instantly in a book
Ideal Conditions:
1. A real issue or concern
2. High-level of complexity
3. High level of diversity
4. Real or potential conflict
5. High level urgency

5. Method #2:
Participatory Strategic Planning
 Participatory – not top
down – strategic planning
process
 1-3 day process
 Four Step Process:
 Create practicable
group vision
 Explore underlying
contradictions
 Create strategic
directions to address
contradictions
 Create implementation
plan

6. Method #3: Group Assessment
Method
o Can be used for virtually any
purpose, from team building to
strategic planning
o Group generates data together as
a team
o Best for groups under 100
o Cost effective and less labor
intensive than traditional team
building
o Process is fast and energizing

7. About Me
• 20+ Years Experience
• Wide range of clients
• Clients:
– Verizon
– US Dept. of Commerce
– NJ Dept of Community Affairs
– Rockefeller Foundation
– Many Schools and Universities

8. Principle Focus
• Meeting Management and
Facilitation
• Team and Community
Building
• Clients:
– Verizon
– US Dept. of Commerce
– NJ Dept of Community Affairs
– Rockefeller Foundation

9. www.angelojohnlewis.com
Lewis Associates
Executive Coaching
Team Building
Organizational Development
Lewis Associates
27 Buttonwood Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530
609-397-9777