Picture-IT

	Picture-IT is an electronic version of rich pictures. Rich pictures is a visual tools that can be used to clarify thoughts about a situation, join up related issues and provides material for group discussion and problem solving.

• Picture-IT can prompt discussion.
• Users often make links that they otherwise would not otherwise make.
• Working visually supports different learning styles.
• Working visually is a key to engaging groups that have difficulty reading English.
• The picture can be edited over time.

Applications:
• Team problem solving and brainstorming.
• Community engagement and visioning.
• Exploring cause and effect.
• Developing a picture of a system.

Map-IT

Map-IT draws on the knowledge of local people and experts to develop a pictorial map of a local area. Information is plotted on a map and is used to highlight issues that need attention or should be taken into account when making plans for the community or site. It is not meant to replace GIS but instead to be used in a group setting to explore problem solving.

• Map-IT can give a helicopter view of a set of inter-relating issues.
• Map-IT can be used in brainstorming sessions, the results of which can be    immediately seen and printed off for further reference.
• Map-IT allows for reflection throughout the project to see if it is on course. Versions    of the map can be saved at any time, as patterns emerge new thoughts and ideas    and ideas can be inspired.
• Map-IT starts from neutral position and issues are added, rather than starting with    a preconceived questionnaire.

Applications:
Strategy Appraisal / Service Analysis: Professionals and facilitators can work with members of a community to appraise and listen to community ideas and build local solutions that are based on consultation.

Planning Tool: Planners, authorities and developers can engage with communities during the initiation of a new development in order to discover concerns, desires and aspirations and then to take these forward into the plans.

Local Awareness-Raising / Education Tool: Information can be pre-plotted on to a map to enable local young people and community groups to see what has been going on in their area. New ideas and solutions can devised saved and emailed back to a central location. Ultimately, it encourages local ownership of the project.

Collaborative Action Teams

Collaborative Action Teams (CAT) make use of standard web forum technology. They contain forums article stores, glossary, blogs, private messaging, member database, calendars, and galleries. The CAT is more than technology it is moderated by experts, who add content and aid debate.

• No expensive proprietary software, instead the focus is on content and facilitation.
• Support small or large communities to create a focused or diverse community.
• Provides a vehicle to share knowledge and develop creative solutions and increase    productivity.
• Allow learning to be taken forward and become a core competency rather than a    single event.
• Creates a history, which can act as an inspiration for problem solving and also    provides an audit trail.

Applications:
• Project teams can carry forward ideas from workshops through to complete    implementation.
• Focus group / outreach exercises providing a vehicle to talk with the wider    community.
• Action Learning Sets – Groups can continue learning in a shared online    environment.

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