Tool details
Storyline
Storyline is a systematic and visual evaluation tool for sharing, reflecting and learning across the team.
Tool category:
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When to use
In the end of a project period. It can also be used during an ongoing project.
Why you should
It collects important events and creates an overview of the project period the team has been through, giving everyone the opportunity to reflect upon their own and the team’s development.
What you get
A common understanding of what the team has been doing well, and which areas that can be improved.
Steps to take
Draw the Storyline - Draw or print an empty storyline on A3 sheet. Define the time period to evaluate on the horizontal time axis. Give an introduction to the exercise and go through the various symbols that are there to help the team reflect and describe their experiences. The standard symbols are: Successes & highs, Ideas & learning, Uncertainties & confusions, Failures and Downs.
Individual reflection - Everyone completes the storyline individually based on their personal experiences. They insert symbols were they fit into the project process, and describes the experience on post-its. One experience per post-it.
Share - Facilitator draws a big storyline up on the wall. In turn, each team member presents his/hers storyline to the team and stick their post it’s on the wall. Each member explain what the important events are about and why they’ve placed there. The team can ask open and curious questions to understand better.
Group reflection - Is there anything that stands out? Are the experiences similar or are there big differences? What could be the cause of that? Did anyone learned something new, something one had not thought about? Summarise the main characteristics of what’s being said.
Identify areas and action steps - Now you have created a broader common picture and it's time to identify which areas that are working well, and which areas should be improved. Take notes of the group's opinions.
Further reading
Feel free to create your own symbol, if you’re missing something. You can work through the Storyline chronologically, or jump back and forth, whatever feels natural. If the method is being used during a project you can put the opinions into action steps that everyone can agree upon. It's important that the action steps are specific (and small), to make it possible to achieve change.
Use flip and markers, listen and formulate together with the group. Take photos of the flips and ensure that the team takes ownership of the actions.