Red, yellow, green is not a new method, but it’s a simple, visual one that helps to achieve objectives quickly. Engage Delaney integrates this method into a lot of work where we need to understand: where are there challenges? Where can we move forward?
We’ve created these cards for you to download, but you can make your own easily. Here’s how we’ve used this method.
- Identifying the areas of challenge versus those that were relatively easy: A client had dozens of scientific recommendations, and we wanted to know from workshop participants, which recommendation will be difficult to implement, which do you have questions about, and which are easy enough to implement?
- Identifying priorities within the built environment: A client wanted to know what you would say are your top priorities from all of these potential amenities? Give those a green!
- Policy or program feedback: A client wanted to solicit specific feedback on a lengthy policy. Using red, yellow, and green, participants could share which parts needed no refinement (green) and which were questionable (yellow) and those sections where they had concerns (red).
Typically, this method is at the CONSULT level of the IAP2 Spectrum and it’s about receiving feedback on options, drafts, recommendations or approaches. Based on your engagement objectives, you can modify what the back of the card says. If you are looking to move towards consensus, you might not include “I love it” on the back of the green card, but “I can live with it” or “Good enough, let’s move on”. Similarly, if you are looking to highlight whether or not there are major concerns, you might make the back of the red card read: “Stop, this doesn’t work”, but if you want to identify recommendations with high barriers for implementation you might change it to: “This will take time to implement”. What we really appreciate about this method is the flexibility.
For example, you can use stickers in lieu of cards so that participants can post them on information boards. You can limit the number of stickers or instances that someone can use a “red card” so that you start to require prioritization. You can move people into pairs or small groups and ask them to report out their “colour” as a group. You can also use this method virtually by asking people to annotate or by creating virtual cards in MIRO, MURAL or other online platforms. And while we tend to use this method for engagement, you can also use it to check in with a group on their energy levels, the degree to which content resonates with them, or how well they are understanding the problem, opportunity or challenge.
There are so many ways you can use this method, and we encourage you to try it out today and maybe just start with a staff meeting or around the dinner table. If ever you want to check in, please reach out at info@engagedelaney.com and we are happy to share more information or answer your questions about this method.