Traditionally, planning has emphasized linear chronological thinking, which simultaneously encourages projecting the immediate past onto the future (hindsight), while idealizing or romanticizing future scenarios that are disconnected from the complex realities of the present and unknown exigencies of a rolling future. Such straight-line thinking and planning is one insidious way in which the status quo protects and perpetuates itself.

We’ve observed that it takes deliberate effort and actions to mitigate the natural tendencies and engage non-linear, multi-dimensional thinking and planning. This allows for an integration of appropriate elements of past, present and future into genuine insight that neither perpetuates the status quo nor fantasizes an improbable future. Insight comes from connecting the dots – relationships, opportunities, patterns and possibilities and results in a more complex and textured view of one’s current and evolving realities. Overall, it provides a more useful and resilient planning and problem-solving platform.

For many years we have been experimenting with techniques and tools to promote multi-dimensional planning. One of the most effective tools we have developed is the Organization Profile. We describe this as an internal, timeless draft document that captures a theatre’s core values, vision and ambitions. More recently we have added mapping techniques that place thinking and planning onto a spatial plane where relationships trump hierarchies, chronologies and sequencing. We introduce these tools and a whole range of planning concepts, approaches, tools and techniques in our Organizational Planning and Process workshop series at A.R.T./New York