Information Technology Reference
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can be a corporation, a geographic region, an organisation or association of
any kind). Those selected to participate are chosen because of their knowl-
edge of the system, their potential for taking responsibility for implementa-
tion, and to reflect a wide range of viewpoints. The Search Conference
usually consists of a two or three day event, which is facilitated by a spe-
cially trained facilitator. Search conferencing results in action-based strate-
gies. This is because participation in the decision-making process creates a
sense of ownership which in turn motivates participants to implement
plans emerging from the process. The plans and strategies in a Search Con-
ference reflect the unique character of each organisation or community,
thereby increasing the probability that effective implementation will fol-
low.
Search conferencing has been successful in a number of areas. Emery
and Purser (1996) report that: “
organizations have found that it is an effec-
tive method for fast-paced, participative strategic planning in today's tur-
bulent environment. Communities have used it for bringing diverse groups
together to work on issues and areas of common concern. It is an excellent
means of planning large-scale systems change in real time, and it gener-
ates excitement, energy, and purposeful behaviour
.” Emery and Purser
(1996) report a number of examples of successful search conferences in-
cluding: mergers of hospitals and companies, community-based planning
and development, establishing new policies for governing institutions, and
development of system-wide plans for reinventing government (e.g.
Macatawa Region Project).
Although primarily used for community and organisational planning
situations, the search conference approach has the potential to be extended
so that participants consider the types of technologies that could be created
to help make the vision of a desirable digital future a reality. However, one
of the difficulties which consistently arises when people are asked for their
requirements for new technologies is that they feel hampered by not know-
ing what is technologically feasible. At the same time, considering the cur-
rent limits of technological feasibility can create constraints and limitations
on imagination. Therefore use of envisioning techniques could supplement
this process.
9.7.2 Citizens' Juries
While techniques such as the Search Conference seek to achieve a shared
vision of the 'right way forward', there are often competing and conflict-
ing views amongst stakeholders about desirable futures. Techniques such
as the Citizens' Jury can be helpful in achieving conflict resolution, or to
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