Learning Histories
A Learning History is a structured way for a group to document and make sense of its own experience. The facilitator guides participants through a process of collecting multiple perspectives on a shared event, project, or change effort, then organising those perspectives into a narrative document that the wider organisation can learn from. The group builds a collective memoir designed to spark better conversations about what happened, why it mattered, and what to do next.
What You'll Achieve with the Learning Histories Workshop
Real outcomes that transform your team
Enhanced organizational learning from past experiences.
Improved team communication and understanding of shared events.
Identification of patterns and insights that inform future actions.
When to Use the Learning Histories Workshop
Perfect for these situations and team challenges
After a significant project to capture lessons learned before team members move on.
When recurring problems across teams need to be addressed through shared insights.
How the Learning Histories Workshop Works
A step-by-step breakdown of the workshop process
1Setup
In this initial phase, identify the experience to capture and assemble your Learning History team. Brief stakeholders about the process, select interviewees, and prepare your interview guide.
2Step 1: Conduct Interviews
Conduct interviews with selected participants, allowing 60-90 minutes per interview to gather detailed personal accounts of the experience. Focus on extracting honest, reflective narratives.
3Step 2: Identify Themes and Build the Narrative
After collecting interviews, analyze the content to identify themes and patterns. Arrange these into a coherent narrative using a two-column format, featuring direct quotes and analytical commentary.
4Step 3: Facilitate the Dissemination Workshop
Key Topics Covered in the Learning Histories Workshop
Ready to run workshops that create real change?
Two ways to get started:
Choose the path that works best for you
Do it Yourself
Perfect for facilitators, leaders and managers
- Instant access to sample frameworks
