Appreciative inquiry is a strengths-based approach to organizational development that focuses on what works well and how those strengths can be expanded. After the purpose or affirmative topic has been defined and existing strengths have been explored, the process moves toward the Dream phase.
The Dream phase encourages participants to imagine the desired future and consider what the organization, team, or initiative could become if its strongest capabilities were fully realized. Participants generate possibilities and articulate an aspirational future state before moving into more concrete design decisions.
The Discover phase examines existing successes, strengths, and positive experiences. Design then translates the desired future into structures, processes, relationships, or commitments that can support it. The final implementation stage may be described through terms such as Destiny or delivery depending on the framework being used.
The value of appreciative inquiry is that it frames organizational change around strengths and possibilities rather than concentrating exclusively on deficiencies. The Dream phase therefore creates an engaging vision that provides direction for later design and action.
Study Guide Topics: Organization Development & Culture; appreciative inquiry; Dream phase; strengths-based change; organizational development.
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