The question explorer
All 81 reflective questions in one place — three sets of 27 (your organisation, the collective, and place-based facilitation), each tagged to a mode of the cycle. Filter to find the ones to sit with.
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What is our purpose, in clear and simple language that anyone could understand?
Where do we see that purpose guiding everyday choices and behaviour?
When have we drifted from our purpose, and what helped us notice and reset?
Where do our purposes already work well together in this place, and what strengths can we build on?
What simple shared message about our value will help partners and communities pull in the same direction?
When things move fast, how will we keep our shared “why” visible — even if some act and others step back for a time?
Where do our purposes already work well together in this place, and what strengths can we build on for local people?
What simple shared message about our value will help partners and communities pull in the same direction?
When things move fast, how will we keep our shared “why” visible — even if some act together and others step back for a time?
Which emerging trends or uncertainties could affect us in the next three years?
How quickly do we usually respond when circumstances change, and what helps or hinders timeliness?
Can we name a recent decision taken under uncertainty — and what did we learn?
Which early signs should trigger a joint move — and which suit a small group first?
What pre-agreed flex (scope, timelines, budget) can partners offer within days, and who can call it?
After action, how will we share what changed and what we learnt so the next choice is clearer?
Which early signs from communities, data or frontline practice should trigger a joint move — and which suit a small group first?
What pre-agreed flex (scope, timelines, budget) can partners offer within days, and who can call it?
After action, how will we share what changed and what we learnt so the next choice is clearer?
How well do we understand our role in the wider community and sector?
Which relationships — internal or external — will be needed to deliver our purpose in future?
How do we judge the success of collaborations, and what have we learnt from partnerships that faltered?
Where are the trusted nodes and strong links we can reinforce, and where are we thin?
What light-touch basics (contacts, fair data habits, referral routes) do we keep in place in calm times?
When demand jumps, how do we share people and resources fairly and avoid duplication?
Where are the trusted nodes and strong links we can reinforce (by theme, neighbourhood, community), and where are we thin?
What light-touch basics (contacts, fair data habits, referral routes) do we keep in place in calm times?
When demand jumps, how do we share people and resources fairly and avoid duplication — using what already works here?
Do we fully understand our possible financial futures and the related risks and opportunities?
Do we balance money and mission, supporting both impact and financial health?
Are we as confident saying “no” to unsuitable offers as “yes” to the right ones?
Which funding or contract rules support good system behaviour, and which might steer us off-course?
What shared dos and don’ts help us say yes to the right offers and no to the wrong ones?
If a large pot appears, how will we run co-ordinated (not identical) bids, letting some opt in while others step back?
Which current funding/contract rules support good system behaviour, and which might steer us off-course later?
What shared dos and don’ts help us say yes to the right offers and no to the wrong ones — together or alongside?
If a large pot appears, how will we run co-ordinated (not identical) bids, allowing some to opt in while others step back?
Do we have a healthy mix of income and a balance of restricted and unrestricted funds?
Which additional income streams fit our purpose but remain untapped?
What income opportunities are coming, and how will we prepare?
Where are the financial strengths in this place, and where are we exposed?
What balanced pipeline (grants, contracts, trading, social investment) will we grow across partners?
If one income stream dips, how will we offer short-term cover or re-profile to protect the most important work?
Where are the financial strengths in this place (flexible funds, local donors, trading), and where are we exposed?
What balanced pipeline (grants, contracts, trading, social investment) will we grow across partners?
If one income stream dips, how will we offer short-term cover or re-profile effort to protect the most important work?
What are the main financial risks now, in the near future, and further ahead?
Have we agreed a reserves policy that is right for us?
Do we have a straightforward plan to respond promptly when risks arise?
What are our shared strengths on risk, and which risks matter most next?
Do we have a clear view of headroom across partners and simple ways to back each other up?
When a risk appears, how will we share information without blame and agree the first safe step quickly?
What are our shared strengths on risk (reserves, safeguarding, legal support), and what risks matter most next?
Do we have a clear view of headroom across partners and simple ways to back each other up?
When a risk appears, how will we share info without blame and agree the first safe step quickly?
What does good governance mean to us?
How might changing our meeting structures improve how we navigate change and uncertainty?
What can we put in place to respond promptly and appropriately when challenges arise?
Where does power sit well, and where does it concentrate or exclude?
What practices will balance voice and power — community seats with real votes, paid participation, clear delegations, safe challenge?
Which small governance tweaks (consent rounds, rotating roles, shared decision logs) will we try next?
Where does power sit well (fair voice, trusted leaders), and where does it concentrate or exclude?
What practices will balance voice and power (community seats with real votes, paid participation, clear delegations, safe challenge)?
Which small governance tweaks (consent rounds, rotating roles, shared decision logs) will we try next, and how will we review them?
Where do staff and volunteers feel most empowered, and where constrained?
How do we support our people to take risks safely?
How do we build a culture of curiosity to support fresh thinking?
Where do people feel strong and trusted, and what pressures might spread if ignored?
What shared offers help now — training, supervision standards, backfill pools, time to test ideas?
When teams are stretched, how will we offer quick cover, debriefs and practical help across organisations?
Where do people already feel strong and trusted, and what pressures might spread if ignored (workload, winter, safeguarding)?
What shared offers help now — training, supervision standards, backfill pools, time to test ideas?
When teams are stretched, how will we offer quick cover, debriefs and practical help across organisations?
How do we currently share knowledge across teams and with partners?
What habits encourage reflection and learning after both successes and setbacks?
How and where do we listen to and learn from others, including the people we serve?
Which early, positive signs (local voices, small wins) tell us change is coming before the lagging KPIs?
What light-touch ways will we use to share data and stories, and make sense of them together?
When we try something together, how will we decide quickly to stop, tweak or grow — and who needs to hear?
Which early, positive signs (local voices, small wins) tell us change is coming — before the lagging KPIs?
What light-touch ways will we use to share data and stories and make sense of them together?
When we try something together, how will we decide quickly to stop, tweak or grow — and who else needs to hear?