Change Implementation Techniques for Forming Transitional Team, Creating Alignment, Maximizing Connectedness and Creativity

Technique 6.17 Po (6 types)

Introduction

· · Po is an acronym for Provocation Operation which asks "Suppose..?" and "What if..?". It is a Provocation which may be impossible, contradictory, absurd or nonsensical

· · Po involves a deliberate leap out of the logical sequence. It is associated with

- hypothesis (brings new possibilities to perception)

- suppose (let's suppose....)

- possible (the status quo is not the only way a situation has to be)

- poetry (for the movement value of its imagery, provoking new thoughts)

· · Po is placed in front of the provocative, sometimes absurd proposition, which pushes our perceptions out of the dominant track into an as-yet un-associated side-track. Furthermore, Po has no value in itself; its importance is where it leads. Its purpose is movement, so treat these exercises like stepping stones used to cross a river

· · Po is placed in front of the provocative, sometimes absurd proposition, which pushes our perceptions out of the dominant track into an as-yet unassociated side-track. Furthermore, Po has no value in itself; its importance is where it leads. Its purpose is movement, ie treat these exercises like stepping stones used to cross a river

· · The Po technique requires that something is put forward directly as a provocation. When using Po, everyone knows that the provocation is unreasonable and contrary to experience; however, the bolder the provocation, the greater the chance of good and unusual ideas being generated. A provocation is not for judgement but for "movement". We move forward from the provocation to new ideas. There is a demonstrated need for provocation in any self-organising information system like the human brain. It is more than "what if" or "suppose" as this implies a limited range of possibilities. Provocation goes beyond that.

· · There are 2 elements involved in Po, ie the setting up and delivering of ideas

· · Furthermore, there is a need to recognize the difference between creating a provocation and movement, ie extracting an idea from provocation (using imagination), and to resist the urge to do the 2 things at the same time

· · This technique needs plenty of practice; then fluency, skills and confidence will feed off one another

Six Types of Po