explore · Problem Solving, Strategy, Team Building · 60–120 min · 4-8 people · medium energy
Rich Pictures
Rich Pictures are a visual method for exploring and defining complex situations by creating a shared understanding through diagrams, symbols, and words. This collaborative approach helps teams surface diverse perspectives and identify key issues without imposing pre-determined structures.
When to use Rich Pictures
Use Rich Pictures at the beginning of a project, review, or when designing a monitoring and evaluation system to foster a broad, shared understanding among diverse stakeholders.
What it solves
Conflicting perspectives hindering collaboration, Lack of shared understanding of a complex problem, Difficulty articulating the nuances of a situation.
How to run Rich Pictures, step by step
- Introduce the concept of Rich Pictures and explain its purpose (5 minutes).
- Provide a large sheet of paper or a digital whiteboard and ask participants to individually brainstorm elements of the situation (10 minutes).
- As a group, begin drawing the 'rich picture' using symbols, pictures, and words to represent the key people, organizations, processes, and issues involved (60 minutes).
- Each participant presents their contributions to the rich picture, explaining the key elements and linkages they've depicted (30 minutes).
- Compare different perspectives and identify common themes and divergences to highlight critical issues for discussion (15 minutes).
Materials needed
- Large paper or digital whiteboard (Miro/Mural)
- Markers or digital drawing tools
- Symbols, pictures, and words to represent elements of the situation
Facilitator tips
- Encourage participants to use a variety of visual elements to represent their ideas.
- Ensure that all participants have an opportunity to contribute and share their perspectives.
- Remind the group that the goal is to capture the complexity of the situation, not to simplify it prematurely.
Common pitfalls
- Participants focusing too much on the 'art' and not enough on the content.
- Dominant voices overshadowing quieter participants.
- The picture becoming too cluttered and difficult to interpret.
Variations
- Use different colored markers to represent different perspectives.
- Break the group into smaller teams to create separate rich pictures and then compare them.
- Incorporate CATWOE (Customers, Actors, Transformation, Worldview, Owner, Environmental Constraints) elements into the rich picture.
Running it online or hybrid
Use a collaborative whiteboard tool like Miro or Mural to allow participants to contribute to the rich picture remotely.
What it produces
A collaboratively created diagram (rich picture) capturing the key elements, relationships, and perspectives related to the situation.
Origin
Adapted from Peter Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) — source
Build a session around Rich Pictures
METODIC places Rich Pictures inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.