Tool: SOAR Analysis
Decision-making is a process of choosing between different options or courses of action, including the option of doing nothing. Different types of decisions range from automatic, programmed decisions to more intensive nonprogrammed decisions.
Understanding the environment we act within is important for creating projects that matter to the people around us. In more traditional methods, like the SWOT analysis, it's easy to think opportunistically and focus on weaknesses and threats. While useful, it can drive our projects from a sense of scarcity or competition, and paint a picture of others as threats to our success instead of key players in it. SOAR is a strategy formulation and planning tool that allows your network to plan its most preferred future.
SOAR applies the Appreciative Inquiry philosophy to provide a strategic thinking and dialogue process.
SOAR analysis is powerful in bringing the team or members of the network together to recognise the potential of the project and create a shared vision of the future. Building on strengths requires less effort and resources than trying to correct weaknesses. The technique is more action-oriented than a SWOT analysis and is focused on outcomes.
Steps:
- Download and print the SOAR analysis template (recommendable, but optional
;
- Sit relaxed, calm your breath;
- Start off by investigating the strengths and follow the SOAR board clockwise
- You can colour and connect the elements with arrows to create additional layers of information on your network board.