Appreciative Inquiry practitioner training programme through the IAAI
Introduction to IAAI training
Our facilitators training programme builds on the significant Appreciative Inquiry training developed and delivered in recent years by Appreciating People to more than 2,000 people in the public and community sectors around the world. The IAAI programme has two certificated courses:
- Module 1 Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry
- Module 2 Deepening your Appreciative Inquiry Practice
Both courses focus on the practical application of Ai and aim to strengthen the ‘appreciative muscle’ and foster new self-sustaining communities of Ai practice.
Accredited Practitioner Status
On successful completion of the two modules participants are awarded “Accredited AI Practitioner” status.
Facilitators who are approved to deliver the IAAI training use a combination of common core material and bespoke sector-specific resources for their Appreciative Inquiry practitioner Module 1 and 2 programmes.
Coming originally from Appreciating People and Appreciating Church practice-based approaches and developed during the COVID pandemic in 2020-22 our training has been successfully tested and prototyped by IAAI members across a range of sectors.
Training content and approach
The programme content and approach is based on significant experience and learning from delivering over 100 Ai courses.
- Module 1 is a two-day Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry workshop which can be delivered face to face or over 4 sessions online.
- Module 2 Deepening your Appreciative Inquiry Practice is a practice-based person-centred programme delivered online over 3 to 4 months. Entry to module 2 requires at least 6 months of Ai experience/practice following completion of module 1.
Module 1
Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry
This provides an introduction to the history of Ai, it’s development, Ai tools, and Ai practices. It has an emphasis on the practical application of Ai within specific sectors:
- Background to the use of Appreciative Inquiry in organizations, and strength based/whole system approaches
- Definition and application of the core Appreciative Inquiry principles, and discussion of emerging principles
- How to use the 5D cycle (Definition, Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny/Delivery)
- Using and developing the SOAR approach – strengths, opportunities, aspirations, resources/results
- Appreciative Inquiry links to positive psychology and strength-based approaches
- Designing conversation protocols and building appreciative approaches into existing work practices
- Importance of “Reframing” and how to use it in responding to challenges and negativity
There is no required course work for Module 1.
All participants receive copies of the Appreciating People publications Taste of Ai 2.0 and Reflections – an Appreciative Journal and practical resource book.
IAAI members set their own fees for the course within an agreed IAAI range. The fee includes IAAI certification.
Module 2
Deepening your Appreciative Inquiry practice
A practice-based individualised programme with course work, reflective practice exercises, and individual support and guidance from an experienced Appreciative Inquiry practitioner. The module runs with cohorts of 6-10 people. Requirements include:
- A SOAR based application exercise
- Attendance at an opening webinar
- Completion of the Three Good Things journal
- Participation in two “thinking partner” sessions
- Participation in two communities of practice sessions
- Completion of several AI-based reflective practice exercises
- Submission of a project /case study
On successful completion of the course work each participant receives IAAI Appreciative Inquiry Practitioner Certification. IAAI members set their own fees for the course within an agreed IAAI range. The fee includes IAAI certification.
People who have in the past completed the Appreciating People 2 day and 3 day programmes can upgrade to become an AI Practitioner by completing the SOAR application, completing journal exercises, participating in “thinking partners” sessions, and submission of a case study/project report.
Examples of Appreciative Inquiry training we have supported
| March 2024 – Alder Associates Two day Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry course for Associates working with Alder Advice | August 2023 – ETS plc 1 x two day Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry course for consultant team aiming to enhance employee experience | 2020 - 2024 Appreciating Church Mod 1 – 3 x virtual Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry courses in 2020 and 2021, and 1 x in 2024. |
| 2013-2022 - 12 x onsite Taste of Appreciative Inquiry courses (the forerunner of Module 1) run across a range of denominations by Appreciating Church | Mar to Sept 2021 Essex Social Care Academy -Trained all Essex Adult Social Care Managers to use “Emotional Touchpoints” technique during supervision. | 2021 Appreciating Church Mod 2 – 2 x online virtual deepening your Appreciative Inquiry practice (Module 2) courses run in 2021 by Appreciating Church |
| 2016 – 2019 Appreciating Church - 4 x Deepening Your Appreciative Inquiry (Mod 2) courses run for United Refomed Church and Methodist participants. | March 2018 - Quakers in Britain - 1 x Appreciative Inquiry methods training to support local groups for a national team of staff and volunteers at Quaker Life Network. | July 2018 Big Life Group - 2 day Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry course for staff from Big Life projects including Rochdale Live Well. |
| Feb 2018 Action Together (Oldham/Tameside) - 3 day workshop on asset based approaches including Appreciative inquiry for self-care team. | 2016 – Dec 2017 Health Education England - Courses on asset based practice and appreciative Inquiry with Manchester Metropolitan University and Big Life Group. |
