Appreciative inquiry - philosophy & method
This investigative approach originated from a drive to create a practical model of organisational change. It is based on a belief in the importance of drawing on the positive and the need to highlight best practice both seen and desired.
In this context of international workforce development a focus on the positive should help us to reduce the chance of compounding discrimination and support the positive inclusion of different cultural approaches to care.
It is a dynamic and forward thinking approach:-
“It is an inquiry process that tries to apprehend the factors that give life to a living system and seeks to articulate those possibilities that can lead to a better future”
Cooperider,D.(1990) Positive image; positive action: The affirmative basis of organising In S.Srivastva & D. L. Cooperider (Eds) Appreciative management and leadership, 91-125 San Francisco, CA:Jossey-Bass

The four ‘D’ model for inquiry
- Discovery - Identifying & Valuing the best of what is
- Dream - Envisioning what might be
- Design - Deciding what should be
- Delivery - Innovating what will be
The workpackages identified in this project follow this sequence of investigation and activity.