◌ Tool: NOISE ANALYSIS

The NOISE analysis is a tool that allows organisations and networks to examine the current and forecasted conditions and generate strategic improvement plans. Five factors are:

• Needs (N) – what is internally needed for a plan to be achieved (can be organizational or individual);
• Opportunities (O) – what external factors allow your organization to grow? How are other networks, locations, or peer organizations achieving growth? Are there unexplored areas that offer new growth opportunities?
• Improvements (I) – how must the organization adjust internally to achieve needs and prepare to take advantage of opportunities?
• Strengths (S) – what is the organization doing well currently? How are you measuring success?
• Exceptions (E) – What is already done in the NOI subjects? List all factors regardless of their current impact.

The main premise behind NOISE analysis is that you frame issues with what you don’t have rather than what you need to overcome. The use of solution-focused language creates a plan that focuses on identifying obstacles and finding new opportunities. Seeing many opportunities is more positive than seeing a long list of strategies done wrong and challenges to overcome. Only the last part of the analysis is dedicated to the present state. Finishing this way can help you admit what you, as a group or network already did. It differs from strengths - it focuses on the already done or started things, not competencies.

A NOISE analysis seems to feel positive because it identifies and focuses on needs. To a team, needs may feel more achievable and targetable than being handed a list of challenges to overcome. Meeting needs is often easier than challenges to be overcome.

You can do it individually and compare them together or without sharing, making the group one and then comparing the individual ones!

Steps:

1. Download and print the template provided below (recommendable);
2. Start by naming the plan or objective to fulfil;
3. It is recommended to follow the NOISE order, departing on N and finishing on E. You can put the most realistic ones close to the middle and the least possible ones close to the external borders;
4. You can connect elements with arrows to start creating a strategy!