Sustained Dialogue is a five stage process. Remember, it is the natural process of how a good relationship develops put into writing. The idea of stages often lends itself to a picture of the process that is linear, meaning groups procees from Stage 1 to 2 to 3, etc. without any sort of "regression" or transition backwards.  This is not the case.  It is better to think of the 5 stages in a spiral progression, where a group will constantly return back to its previous stage or state in conversation before continuting on to the next logical step.  In fact, a transition from Stage 3 back to Stage 2 is not only normal, but even encouraged much of the time, as it ensures a more solid foundation for future progress.

 

 The image you will find below the stage descriptions conveys some idea of this, but the best way to understand how these transitions work is to participate in a dialogue and witness it first hand.

 

 

 Stage I: Deciding to Engage

 

The purpose of Stage 1 is to create an opportunity for people to come together in dialogue.  This process entails gathering participants, introducing SD to your community, designing diverse dialogue groups, and getting all of the participants to commit to the process.

 

Stage 1 is the easiest stage to talk about and the hardest to do well, but with enough planning and forethought, it can be done!

 

 

 

Stage 2 is the meat of the dialogue--the "What" of the SD process.  In this stage, participants will share their personal feeligns and opinions, and the experiences that helped solidify them.  Stage 2 is the longest stage, and involves most of the emotional conversation.  In the context of SD, it is the most cathartic stage, where participants are allowed to vent, to get everything of their chest, tell their stories, and to be as open and honest as they can bear.

 

The tranisition from Stage 2 to Stage 3 becomes apparent when the group begins to focus in on a specific problem or issue, or to identify a singular theme.  The conversation shifts from the "storytelling" of Stage 2 to a period of deeper conversation, described below.  

 

 

 

In Stage 3, participants begin to more carefully analyze the dynamics of whichever problem they have chosen to focus on.  Stage 3 is often described as the "Why" stage, where participants begin to question the reasons behind their problems, and the underlying causes of the tension.

 

Having taken all of the experiences they shared in Stage 2 and tied them together, the group now has a singular, defined problem that they can really focus on.  The conversations become more analytical and less experiential, and towards the end of the stage the group begins to suggest possible things they can do--either together or as individuals--to address this problem. 

 

 

 

When the group decides to try and address the problem at hand, the transition heads to Stage 4.  Much like the previous stage, these conversations will be more focused.  Sharing personal experiences and telling stories will still occur--it is a natural part of the circular process and sprial progression through the five stages--however, conversations will now shift into real planning.

 

What was once a dialogue group now may take the form of an action planning committee.  The goal here is to carefully consider all of the resources the group has at its disposal to carry out an action plan, and all of the obstacles that stand in their way.  Each possible scenario should be carried out in conversation to the utmost detail, attempting to predict and prepare for any obstructions that will impede the group's success.

 

 

 

Upon reaching Stage Five, the group is now prepared to develop practical ways the scenarios developed in Stage Four might be put into action.  This stage may include meetings with other community members, public relations work, advertising, more planning, and eventually carrying out the action plan that was developed in the previous stages.