Identifying Development Challenges Workshops

We suggest going through these steps with your team in two workshops, with a break between them to give participants time to reflect on the drivers and their possible outcomes. Below is a detailed outline of the possible workflows for each workshop.

Pre-Read for Participants

Prepare a brief, accessible document or presentation covering:

• What are drivers of change?
• How were these drivers identified?
• What is the purpose of the workshop?

Share the drivers in advance and encourage participants to consider: What outcomes might result if this driver develops in different ways?

Clarify the Objectives

1. Workshop 1: Focus on brainstorming the outcomes of prioritized drivers and classifying them as high-impact, high-certainty, or high-impact, low-certainty outcomes.
2. Workshop 2: Explore the implications of prioritized outcomes using the Futures Wheel.

Set Up Tools

Digital tools (if virtual): Miro, MURAL, or Jamboard for real-time collaboration. Physical setup (if in-person): Provide sticky notes, flip charts, and markers

Between Workshop 1 & Workshop 2 Preparation

• Synthesize Driver Outcomes. Review the workshop's output and combine any 'related' outcomes or remove overlaps, preparing the different outcomes for the next workshop.
• Synthesize Driver Prioritization Rationale. The discussion generated during the prioritization exercise is critical to capture as it will serve as an essential component of the CPD's content. The potential impact of the different driver outcomes could represent the rationale behind why UNDP chose to tackle one specific development challenge rather than another.
• Share the Synthesized Output. For the next workshop, it is important for participants to acclimatize themselves to the different outcomes discussed in Workshop 1, especially if certain outcomes were more contentious.

Set Up Tools for Workshop 2 Digital tools (if virtual): Miro, MURAL, or Jamboard for real-time collaboration
Physical setup (if in-person): Provide sticky notes, flip charts, and markers.

Example Workshop 1 Agenda

Please look at the example agenda we have provided below and modify it for your own purposes.

Welcome and Introductions (20 min)

Explain the objectives and outline the agenda.

Context Setting (20 min)

Present the drivers of change and explain how they were developed. Clarify what the participants will be doing. Also, encourage participants to avoid self-censoring and explore seemingly 'outlandish' driver outcomes.

Breakout Sessions: Brainstorm Driver Outcomes Part 1 (40 min)

In small groups, identify the possible outcomes for each driver. Each group could work on 2-4 drivers.

Break (10 min)

Breakout Sessions: Brainstorm Driver Outcomes Part 2 (40 min)

Rotate groups to review and add to the outcomes brainstormed by others.

Prioritize Outcomes (60-75 min)

In the plenary session, rank driver outcomes on Impact and Certainty.

Next Steps & Closing (15 min)

Explain next steps and prime participants to consider implications for different driver outcomes.

• Make sure to offer plenty of examples of what a 'driver outcome' looks like

• Have the facilitator play the role of the challenger and push participants to think about extreme outcomes based on the relevant signals of change

• Remember to offer clear guidance on assessing Impact and Certainty - you might have to offer a reminder at regular intervals in the exercise.

Example Workshop 2 Agenda

If possible, allow for at least 3–5 days between Workshop 1 and Workshop 2. This gives participants time to process the outcomes and reflect on potential implications.

Welcome and Recap (20 min)

Recap Workshop 1 and review the prioritized driver outcomes.

Introduction to the Futures Wheel (20 min)

Explain the Futures Wheel, how to use it.

Breakout Sessions: Futures Wheel Part 1 (60-75 min)

Divide participants into small groups and assign 5-6 driver outcomes to each group.

Break (10 min)

Breakout Sessions: Futures Wheel Part 2 (60 min)

Rotate groups to review and add to the implications brainstormed by others.

Clustering Implications into Development Challenges (60 min)

In the plenary session, cluster the second and third-order implications into themes that coalesce into specific development challenges.

Next Steps & Closing (15 min)

Clarify that the outcome of this workshop will be shared for additional input for finalization.