PCO Gelderse Vallei | Strategic Course Illustration

Introduction

In the difficult times of the pandemic, we have worked towards a comprehensive and agreed-upon strategic course plan for PCO Gelderse Vallei. We received valuable input from the entire organization during World Cafe-style sessions. As we wanted to create a tangible and visually appealing end product, we decided to organize an online session where we could divide into groups to discuss various parts of the conceptual drawing. The live quick-draws ensured that feedback was immediately visible and tangible. We presented the results of this online session during a plenary feedback session.

An inspiring and connecting method of working

PCOGV has developed a strategic course plan during the Corona period, which is a fun and connecting approach. It is a shared vision document that was created and adjusted with input from the entire organization in World Cafe-style sessions. For a concluding meeting of the strategy formation, the desire was to come together to achieve a concrete, tangible, and visual end product.

Therefore, an online meeting was proposed where we split into groups to discuss parts of the concept map. Live "at the table" with speed drawers to make direct feedback visual so that the feedback is also immediately concrete, tangible, and visible. We then reported the results plenarily.

To prepare for this meeting, we facilitated a creative session in a smaller setting. In this session, we delved into what the important parts of the course plan are with questions such as, "Where do you come from? What is the reason for the revision? Where is the focus? And: if you have to tell the story in two minutes, what do you choose to mention?"

The above concept sketch was the end result of this first online session, which we then further developed. Often the map is a bit busy after such a first session, and it is important to bring some more peace and focus to make the map more readable and presentable.

With this concept, we entered the second session with a group of 30-40 stakeholders, ranging from parents to teachers to school leaders and administrators. We presented the map as a starting point and walked through the various parts. We then divided the group into smaller teams, where we picked up parts of the map, examined them, and further developed them. Again in a carousel setting, so that everyone could give feedback on each part of the map.

Digital presentation

We then used our digital platform to transform the developed concept map into an interactive web page. See here for the result: https://praatplaat.visueleverbinders.nl/pcogv-koersplan.

You are best off reading this map from bottom left to top right, following the numbering of the orange circles. By clicking on the orange circles, you go through the chapters of this interactive concept map. You start with the compass of "Faith, hope, and love". Then you walk towards the vibrant child centers of the future. You come across the guiding principles that are associated with the promises in the top left corner. By "learning with and from each other," PCOGV wants to realize its innovation plans.

Tips:

• Press "start" to start the story.

• You can zoom in and out via the menu in the middle at the top.

• With "original", you can see the entire map full screen.

• Do you want to present? Click "present" for a full-screen experience.
  

Interactive website

This digital discovery place starts with an introductory overview page (see above), where it immediately becomes clear where you are. Where you can land for a moment before we take you into the depth. You then land on the entire concept map, where you can click on "start" or directly on the numbered chapters.

Towards a successful implementation

With the talk sheet printed large and displayed on various locations' walls, PCO Gelderse Vallei is ready to shape this new future together. With (partly) closed schools, this digital meeting place has become the perfect location to return to. To be informed and inspired once again.