As past chairman of the AIA Florida Growth Management Committee, Ken Hirsch has pursued a range of ways to bring the concept of visioning to communities and organizations. His special training in facilitation, group dynamics and coaching allows him to couple his architecture and planning experience with community action projects. Hirsch was a special consultant to the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) assisting in implementing Community Development Corporations (CDC's) in Palm Beach County communities.

Visioning focuses on people first and then the building environment and he believes that only by starting with people and understanding their hopes, wants and dreams, can we then create building environments that reflect their passion, purpose and vision.  Ken has facilitated hundreds of visioning workshops for corporations and non-profits as well as his architectural clients.

There are three initial steps to take before the Visioning process can begin.  The first step is to establish the scope of the subject of the vision.  The second step is to establish a timeline for the vision.  The third step is to identify the people to be influenced by the vision.  These people are the stakeholders of the vision.  Most visioning workshops have a common format. 

Ken crafted his own version of the process into what he calls the “Seven Essential Questions” for any vision opportunity.  These seven questions are:

1. What’s working?
2. What needs changing?
3. What’s not being said?
4. The vision for (insert time frame)
5. The categories of the vision
6. Three year measurable goals
7. Twelve month action plan

The answers to these questions become the collective wisdom of the group.  One of the important benefits of the visioning process is that it builds ownership of the vision.  The participants are energized, empowered and become team players.