Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a strengths-based approach to organizational development that is used successfully by thousands of businesses, schools, government agencies, hospitals, religions, military groups and communities worldwide. AI is the foundation and framework for services. It may also be the methodology for an engagement.

Appreciative Inquiry is:

• Focused on the positive
  Traditional strategic planning involves analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). AI-based strategic planning focuses almost exclusively on core capabilities and strategic opportunities. This purposeful focus on the positive reframes obstacles, increasing enthusiasm and energy for implementation.
   
• Action Oriented
  Traditional strategic planning relies on studies and reviews of reports over extended periods of time. An AI-based development process prioritizes key opportunities and develops them into immediately actionable recommendations and timelines that are created in “real time” with the full support of many stakeholders participating in a planning session.
   
• Culture-building, as well as organizational capacity-building
  Because it stretches people beyond their immediate circles of influence and interest, AI based strategic planning builds communication and partnerships, forging relationships that are necessary for implementation of more broad-based initiatives. Because it involves the telling of stories (of peak experiences, successes, hopes and dreams), it positively modifies the organization’s inner dialogue, which is how an organization’s culture is carried and transmitted.