IntelliSynthesis/IntelliConferences

CAPSI convenes stakeholders in IntelliConference® forums that apply IntelliSynthesis®, our breakthrough question-and-response dialogue method, for efficient input from large groups of diverse stakeholders. IntelliSynthesis® is our collective knowledge; it is everywhere and all around us when we are in our natural state of collaboration. IntelliConferences capture and track all perspectives and conversation details in an open-source dialogue agenda that becomes the long-term project plan informing future reports and presentations. This methodology employs guided inquiry by a facilitator to elicit and expand upon each participant’s thinking. Collective action is one of the biggest hurdles in designing collaborative action plans, and our IntelliSynthesis-based IntelliConferences overcome that obstacle.

"What is missing from the policy analyst's tool kit -- and from the set of accepted, well-developed theories of human organization -- is an adequately specified theory of collective action whereby a group of principals can organize themselves voluntarily to retain the residuals of their efforts." -- Elinor Ostrom, 2009 Nobel Laureate in Economics

IntelliSynthesis provides the theory of human organization that Professor Ostrom pointed toward in her seminal work Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action. IntelliSynthesis® is, in fact, that theory in action. It is the living manifestation of approaches to coordinating human activity, aligning thought processes, and generating semantic and logical structures necessary for understanding. It is also a tool that provides ready-at-hand support and extension of human cognitive and expressive capacities.

IntelliConferences^® transcend the shortfalls of social media and online interaction by encouraging and focusing on the collective intelligence of a diverse team that has come together to solve a significant problem. It is a simple yet elegant approach to group dialogue that entirely reorients how the public and private sectors embrace next-level collaboration for the benefit of society.

Academic leaders, business executives, government officials, and other stakeholders agree to collaborate fully and transparently, moving beyond the siloed thinking of their institutions, companies, and agencies to discuss and tackle the topic's nuances and intricacies. All perspectives and essential conversation details are captured and tracked in an open-source dialogue record that becomes the long-term project plan and informs future reports and presentations.

Each IntelliConference® is facilitated by trained individuals who may also be subject matter experts. These individuals ensure that camaraderie is intact and forward progress is sustained. An IntelliConference® is an empowering experience for participants, as they see that all contributions are respected and appreciated for their merit. In the mix of ideas, pragmatic solutions emerge that were previously inaccessible.

IntelliConference® Outline

PROPOSAL

An IntelliConference is suggested to address a particular issue

Member participation is unlimited

Efforts are made to contact stakeholders

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

Commit to open and collaborative participation

Make specific, timely promises

ISSUE STATEMENT

A carefully constructed document that describes the problem, condition, or improvement to be addressed.

Must be considered satisfactory by all before proceeding.

INQUIRY

Create Context

Historical Context

Governmental/ Policy Context

Existing Stakeholder Conflicts

Previous Stakeholder Positioning

Time Sensitivity

:Formulate Questions

Full participation

Questions are comprehensive and extensive to cover all aspects of the issue

Answer Questions

A researcher can be appointed from inside or outside the group if needed.

EXPANSION

Review what has been learned from answering the questions.

Observations

Musings

IDEALIZING

Revisit the Issue Statement

“Blue sky” an innovative solution.

All input is welcomed without criticism. 

CREATE THE FUTURE

Envision what could be achieved with a complete collaboration

Set goals with milestones, measures, and timelines

IntelliConference Amenities

Develop a common problem-solving language

        - Define common terms and adhere to the terms as posted in the system

- Each engagement creates an applied ontology that can be expanded to fit future needs

         -Provides the essential shared reference terms and definitions

         -A Pattern of group behavior emerges and can be effectively applied

Guided inquiry helps focus vague thinking to expand the solution horizon

        -Elicit and expand upon each participant’s thinking

: -Engages and challenges participants to think in ways that correlate with their desired outcomes

Measurable Commitments keep the group on target

-Assists participants in generating specific, measurable commitments and guides their activities through to completion

-Diagnoses known barriers to continued participation and provides a set of immediate prescriptions

-Conducts and displays real-time analysis of participatory patterns to provide visual feedback to participants about their progress

Expanding the range of acceptable outcomes for all participants

-Beginning with a custom-designed survey instrument that captures the participants’ desired outcomes, the methodology uses an inquiry-driven approach whereby participants are presented with potential individual and group outcomes

-Participants incorporate feedback where alternatives can be developed, weighed, reviewed, and ultimately expressed as part of the deliberative process.

Facilitators monitor progress and intervene to support the process

-From our study of multi-party problem-solving groups, progress is likely to stall at some point. The system is designed to reflect the motivating characteristics of synchronous meetings among the participants and provides an impetus to push users toward committed action.