Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a method that focuses on discovering the positive in organizations to help envision and achieve a desired future. It involves gathering stories of past successes and using them to imagine new possibilities. The goal is to expand what is thought to be possible and translate visions into reality. AI uses positive questioning to explore strengths and innovations, which generates compelling images of the organization's future potential.

1. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a method for discovering, understanding and fostering
innovations in organizations through the gathering of positive stories and images and
the construction of positive interactions. AI seeks out the very best of "what is" to
help ignite the collective imagination of "what could be". The aim is to generate new
knowledge which expands the "realm of the possible" and helps members of an
organization envision a collectively desired future and to carry forth that vision in
ways which successfully translates images of possibility into reality and beliefs into
practice.
The Appreciative Inquiry process can be a helpful tool in any planning effort which
requires strategic vision and an empowering context for innovation and development.
This approach is being actively used by ImagineScotland.
The best resources on Appreciative Inquiry can be found at
http://appreciativeinquiry.cwru.edu and in Australia www.appreciativeinquiry.net.au
Appreciative Inquiry - a philosophy built around the concept that building on what
works is more effective in achieving desired results than trying to solve problems;
focusing on the positive is the way to discover the best in people and their
organisations.
Ap-pre'ci-ate, v., 1. Valuing; the act of recognizing the best in people or the world
around us; affirming past and present strengths, successes, and potentials; to perceive
those things that give life (health, vitality, excellence) to living systems. 2. To
increase in value, e.g. the economy has appreciated in value. Synonyms: VALUING,
PRIZING ESTEEMING, and HONORING.
In-quire' (kwir), v., 1. The act of exploration and discovery. 2. To ask questions; to be
open to seeing new potentials and possibilities. Synonyms: DISCOVERY, SEARCH,
and SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION STUDY.
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) begins an adventure. The urge and call to adventure has
been sounded by many people and many organizations, and it will take many more to
fully explore the vast vistas that are now appearing on the horizon. But even in the
first steps, what is being sensed is decisive new direction in our language and theories
of organization and transformation - an invitation, as some have declared, to "a
positive revolution in change."
Hammond, S. A., Royal, C., Ph.D. (1998). Lessons from the Field: Applying
Appreciative Inquiry. Buffalo, NY: Practical Press.
AI is a tool for connecting to the transformational power of the positive change core
by opening every strength, innovation, achievement, imaginative story, hope, positive
tradition, passion, and dream to systematic inquiry. AI then uses the stories generated
to create new, more compelling images of the organization and its future.
Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D. (1999). Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution
in Change. In P. Holman & T. Devane (Eds.), The Change Handbook. San
Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
(Quotes assembled by John Loty More info: focus@appreciativeinquiry.net.au