TIPS
- Printable Studio Poster
- This is an example of the "Select or Design a Tribe Experiment" step in the Tribe Level Up Decision Map.
CASE STUDY:
After conducting an initial experiment in Session 1 and determining their Studio Maintenance priorities (fairness, efficiency or fun), the Tribe decided to go with a zone-based Studio Maintenance Method (fairness). After a few weeks of increasing time spent on SM and brewing discontent, in Town Hall, Ava proposed that the Tribe run an experiment where they switch to the Swarm method for 1 week. At the end of the week-long experiment, they would then decide whether or not they want to switch to the Swarm method or keep it zone-based. The proposal passed with a simple majority on a Thursday Town Hall and the experiment began Monday of the following week.
This is an example of the Tribe Level Up process in action, where a learner diagnoses a problem, garners enough support to run an experiment with a proposed solution, and then the Tribe reflects + innovates.
NOTE: In the AANWA Discovery Studio, a Simple Majority vote is all that is needed to run an experiment, but a Super Majority vote is required to permanently change a Studio Process or System. All Studio Processes/Systems and decisions are recorded in the Studio Playbook.
This process allows for a lower-friction, yet methodical, approach to changes and innovation. It's much easier to garner support for a lower-stakes, time-bound experiment than it is to agree on sweeping permanent changes. The experiment enables dissenters to "try before they buy" and supporters to "prove it". Either way, as a result, everyone is able to make a better, more informed decisions. At the same time, requiring a super majority vote ensures that change is gated and incremental - requiring cohesion to make major changes that helps prevent the cultural whiplash and instability that comes with "too much change, too fast".
As a general rule, they also do not run more than one Tribe Challenge or Experiment at a time. This means they must prioritize the real problems and focusing efforts on what is most important to the majority of the Tribe.