PURPOSE
The Performance Framing Graph is like a visual map that helps us understand the systemic nature of the challenge. It shows us the desired future (vision), what we have now (current reality), and the gap between the two.
This graph is highly useful when we’re starting to solve problems or come up with strategies for adaptive challenges. It can also be helpful for regular problems.
Drawing performance framing graphs helps us think more dynamically — about any issue, simple or complex. They boost our DYNAMIC Thinking capacity.
VALUE & OUTCOME
If done well, it provides you and your team or coalition with the following information:
What’s the current reality of the issue we want to improve?
How did we get here…and what’s the historical trend?
What’s the price paid if the issue remains unsolved?
What’s our ideal future if we could wave a magic wand?
The performance framing graph becomes the starting point for modeling and mapping. As we develop the graph, it often illuminates the structure responsible for performance —it stimulates OPERATIONAL Thinking. We begin to better understand the ecosystem.
HOW Individually Draw two axes. The horizontal will be time. Think about the issue and decide on the most useful time horizon to analyze. How far back does the issue go? How far into the future should we care about it? Put the starting time at the intersection of the axes and the end time at the right end of the horizontal axis.
The vertical axis is the performance measure—your metric or variable of interest. It’s a good idea to normalize this variable (if possible): convert to percentages, averages, or dollars per person, or some other comparable unit.
Draw a dot at the current time. Then, draw a line from the left vertical axis to the dot that represents the current reality. This line can be going up really fast, staying the same, going down super fast, or it could be going up and down in a pattern.
Keep drawing to the right until the final time point. Imagine what the future might look like if we don’t take action. This is the cost of inaction or not solving.
Now, let’s imagine the future. Where would you like this measure to be by the end of the time horizon? What’s the best possible path to get there?
Small Groups
Form small groups (3-5 people) and have each person present their performance framing graph. No discussion or talking of any kind. After everyone shares their graphs, the group should discuss and try to create one graph that they think best explains the issue.
Large Groups
Each group shares their graphs in a large group using the same no talking rule. After everyone’s presented, see if the large group can create 1-3 graphs that they think really capture the essence of the issue. It’s best if there are a few graphs that cover very different aspects of the issue (e.g operations, finances, human resources.)
