AKA | N/A |
Classification | Team Building (TB) |
The circles of influence tool allows a team to verify the extent of its self-management, decision-making authority, and problem-solving capability. Circles are used to display forces or problems that are within the team's influence or that are outside the team's influence.
To evaluate problems and forces influencing a team's performance.
To identify a team's areas of responsibility and influence
To verify team management and authority.
To empower a team by increasing its influence and defining accountability.
Select and define problem or opportunity | |
→ | Identify and analyze causes or potential change |
→ | Develop and plan possible solutions or change |
Implement and evaluate solution or change | |
→ | Measure and report solution or change results |
Recognize and reward team efforts |
Research/statistics | |
2 | Creativity/innovation |
Engineering | |
Project management | |
Manufacturing | |
Marketing/sales | |
4 | Administration/documentation |
Servicing/support | |
3 | Customer/quality metrics |
1 | Change management |
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before
Brainstorming
Consensus Decision Making
Team Process Assessment
Buzz Group
Team Mirror
after
Relationship Map
Sociogram
Delphi Method
Critical Dialogue
Multivoting
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Each participant takes no more than 10 minutes to list problems for consideration.
Use coding such as A-1, B-1, C-1, etc., to designate problems placed into circles of influence A-B-C.
STEP 1 The team's facilitator draws three circles of influence on a flip chart and explains the purpose and application of this tool. A team discussion follows.
STEP 2 The facilitator starts the team by providing an example problem for each circle of influence. Further clarification takes place to ensure that each participant understands the process.
STEP 3 Participants are asked to develop a list of existing and perceived problems that affect the team's present performance.
STEP 4 Once participants have completed their lists, the facilitator collects these lists for encoding and charting problems. See example A Team's Problem Solving Ability.
STEP 5 All listed problems are discussed and consensus is reached on where problems should be charted: circle A, B, or C. The first problem determined to be in circle A should be encoded as A-1.
STEP 6 All charted problems are recorded on flip charts titled Circle A, Circle B, and Circle C, as shown in the example. A discussion follows on the team's ability to control or influence problems.
STEP 7 Finally, the team explores ways to increase the team's influence, expand on its area of responsibility, and therefore, improve team performance.