Evaporating Cloud Technique

1
Evaporating Cloud Technique

• A technique for finding and dissolving
  differences in assumptions which cause conflict.
• Slide show prepared by Lt. Col. Steve Flowers of
  the United States Air Force

2
Party Time Conflict
BECAUSE The route home walking is unsafe after
10p
D Sharon home before 10p
B Sharons safety
Father
A To have a good family life
C Sharon wants to be popular
D Sharon home around midnight
Daughter
3
Your Turn

• I sat down in the office last week to complete
  this briefing. It was really stuffy so I opened
  the window. I work better when there is fresh
  air. After about an hour, my co-worker came in
  and began working at her desk. After a few
  minutes, she commented Its really cold in
  here. She then got up and closed the window.
• What is our dilemma?

4
Conflict Diagram Template
D (Do 1st or 2nd) What I Want
B (Do 3rd or 4th) What need am I trying
to satisfy
A (Last) What are we both trying to achieve that
requires both B C?
C (Do 3rd or 4th) What need is s/he trying to
satisfy
D (Do 1st or 2nd) What the other person wants
5
Each think there is only One Way
D Open the Window
B Have Fresh Air
Be the A Most Productive Employee
C Work in a Comfortable Temperature
D Close the Window
6
Finding Solution

• 1Find assumption Read each pair from left to
  right In order to.I must..because
• The statement after because is an assumption
• If stuck, add absolute wording like always,
  never, all, or none into the statement
• Generate as many assumptions per pair as you like
• 2 Invalidate assumption Find an injection
  (action) that will make the assumption invalid
  (generate as many as you like)
• Your want
• The other persons want

7
Finding A Solution
6) Because
2) We must
5) We must
B What need am I trying to satisfy?
D What do I want?
3) Because
4) In Order to
A (Last) What are we both trying to achieve that
requires both B C?
1) In Order to
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UNDERSTANDING ASSUMPTIONS
D Open the Window
B Have Fresh Air
Be the A Most Productive Employee
C Work in a Comfortable Temperature
D Close the Window

• B-D It is the only way I can get fresh air
• C-DThe temperature can only be controlled by
  closing the window

9
Finding A Solution
D Open the Window
B Have Fresh Air
Be the A Most Productive Employee
C Work in a Comfortable Temperature
D Close the Window

• B-D It is the only way I can get fresh air
• C-DThe temperature can only be controlled by
  closing the window