CDes Ops
Appreciative
Inquiry
Interview
Guide
May 7
2013
This Appreciative Inquiry Interview Guide is provided to the Ops
Process Teams as part of their “Discover Phase” work. It outlines the
60-90 minute interview process and suggested questions that search for
“The Best of What Is” for The College of Design
CDes Ops
Redesign
“Discover”
An Organization is Not a Problem
to be Solved, but a Mystery to be
Embraced.
What is Appreciative Inquiry?
Appreciative Inquiry is an approach to organizational and community development
that has been used successfully worldwide to cultivate hope, build capacity,
unleash collective appreciation and imagination, and bring about positive change.
It is based on the simple idea that human beings move in the direction of what we
ask about. When groups query human problems and conflicts, they often
inadvertently magnify the very problems they had hoped to resolve. Conversely,
when groups study exalted human values and achievements, like peak experiences,
best practices, and worthy accomplishments, these phenomena tend to flourish. AI
deliberately asks positive questions around affirmative topics to ignite constructive
dialogue and inspired action within organizations and communities. Change
research shows that community innovation methods that evoke stories, and affirm
and compel groups of people to envision positive images of the future sustain
change and inspire collective action. (Bliss Browne, Imagine Chicago)
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OHR/Organizational Effectiveness
COLLEGE OF DESIGN OPS REDESIGN PROCESS
PROCESS TEAM NAME: ________________________________
Name: _____________________________________ Phone/email:_________
Position/Role: _______________________ Unit/Function: _______________
Years of Service: _______________________
Date: ___________________
Interviewed by: ____________________________________________________
OPENING
Thank you for participating in this OPS Redesign Process Interview. I’m looking forward to
what I will be learning from this conversation, and I hope that it will be a rewarding experience
for you as well. As stated in Kathy Witherow’s (Tom Fisher’s) invitation letter, these interviews
are critical to the future of our College.
This interview is taking a different approach to looking at our CDes organizational processes
than a normal interview. Rather than looking for what is not working or causing problems, we
are approaching this project from a different angle. We are going to find out about your
experiences of success here in the College of Design, particularly with the __________________
process so that we can find ways to create more of those types of experiences in our college for
students, faculty, staff and alumni.
By the end of May, several of the members of CDes and beyond will have been interviewed. In
late May, all of that input will be compiled to identify the qualities that make CDes a rewarding
place to learn, work and be of service. With those qualities as a foundation, we will dream our
vision for the operations units for the year 2014 and beyond. We will look at our work
processes, our culture and our interactions in light of what can be possible in the CDes of the
future.
In practical terms, this interview will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes. I will be taking notes
as we talk. Sometimes, if you tell a really great story or say something in a way that’s especially
striking, I might write down what you say word-for-word. But the information that I collect will
still be confidential and anonymous, unless you ask to have your name attached to it. I am the
only person who will see the detailed notes from this interview. When I report back to my team,
I will only provide the thematic highlights so that we can proceed with our redesign work in an
informed and practical manner.
I and my team are truly appreciative of your time and the insight that you can provide. Before
we begin, do you have any questions?
CDes Ops Redesign
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DISCOVER
1. What were your initial excitements and impressions when you first joined (or
met/interacted with) The College of Design?
2. What has been your most positive or pleasurable experience since you’ve been
here/engaged with the College?
3. Without being humble, explain what you value most about:

Yourself

The people you work with

Your department or function here (or in relation to the College)
4. As you think about the way we in CDes do the process of _______________________,
what are the things that we do exceptionally well?
5. What aspects of this process are the highpoints of your experience with it?
6. What difference were you able to make when working with this process?
7. Why does this (process) matter to you?
8. What College resources were assets in making this (process) happen? (Who, What or
other processes/technologies, etc.)
DREAM
Now I want to ask about your vision for the future:
Imagine that, like Rip Van Winkle, you fall asleep and wake up in five years. You read on
the internet or in a publication stories of how The College of Design (Process) _________
_____________ has grown in strength and impact over the years. College and curriculum
changes have been significant, and you’re thrilled to be part of a College that is making such
a difference.
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OHR/Organizational Effectiveness
9. What do you imagine the three most significant articles are about?
10. What part do you play in these stories?
DESIGN
11. What current trends or processes give you most hope that such a thriving (process)
___________________ can and will grow stronger?
12. What is contributing most to your own willingness to make a difference in this area for
CDes now?
13. What are the most important factors likely to sustain your involvement for CDes in this
area?
DESTINY
14. What opportunities regarding (process) __________ do you see out there for us to take
advantage of?
15. What recommendations do you have for how to strengthen this aspect (process) of the
College of Design?
Thank you!
CDes Ops Redesign
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