Exercise 1: The Gap

THIS DOCUMENT WAS PRODUCED BY THE NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM.  IT IS POSTED BY THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES FOR PUBLIC
USE.  THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE CONTENTS.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, REFER TO THE USERS GUIDE.


                           EXERCISE 1
                             THE GAP

[Exercises 1 and 2 provide ways to develop alternative statements
of a problem.]

You'll need three sheets of newsprint, felt-tipped pens, and a
general idea of the problem area or goal.  Label one newsprint
sheet, "The Ideal," the second, "The Real," and the third "The
Gap."  The group should list aspects of the ideal (situations or
events, as specifically as possible), and do the same for the real
(the present situation).  Then the two sheets should be compared
and the differences recorded under the heading, "The Gap". 
According to one definition, a problem is "the difference between
ideal and actual" and so the gap should, by definition, be the
problem.  You should ask yourselves whether it really is--and you
will probably want to summarize the gap items into a problem
statement.

• Lois M. Frey, UVM Extension, RR #4, Box 2298, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 223-2389, email: lfrey@sover.net
• "Group Development: Creating Group Effectiveness" by Duane Dale, DFD Associates, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-3402 (moving to 764 South East Street, Amherst, MA 01022 after 8/1/98);
• Bob Biagi, 142 Cherry Lane, Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 549-1412;

Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98