Today I'm at the Hotel DeAnza Hotel in San Jose facilitating a strategic discussion for one of our divisions, using the Language Processing (LP) method.
Language Processing is a great method for achieving alignment on a problem that's still at the qualitative (vs. quantitative) stage.
LP operates under the assumption that semantics are critical at this point. By addressing those semantic differences, it provides a process that almost guarantees a smooth facilitation.
Here are three ways you can learn more about Language Processing.
- This article outlines how to do a language processing session. I was surprised to see it called a 'KJ Analysis'. It turns out that it was named after Jiro Kawakita, a Japanese anthropologist.
As one who fancies himself an amateur anthropologist (you cannot live overseas for 10 years without becoming an amateur anthropologist - as well as an apologist for American policy, but that's another story), I'm unreasonably pleased to discover this methodology was born from anthropology. - This short manual by the CQM organization, is the one I carry for my sessions.
- "A New American TQM" - while looking through a peer's bookshelf, I found this excellent hardcover book by the Center for Quality Management that covers both Language Processing and the 7-Step Problem Solving Methodology.
The book is out of print, but you can buy it used on Amazon. I ordered it yesterday.
Read the article and try it on your next qualitative problem statement.
