Criteria

• Thinking in systemic-constructivist approaches 

• Theoretical and practical knowledge about working in and with organizations 

• Sound knowledge of the theoretical and methodological foundations of constellations 

• Process-oriented work along emerging phenomena 

• Strong fine sensory perception and intuition 

• Clear development of the order, the appropriate settings and the integration into ongoing processes 

• Consideration of a meaningful and useful linking of constellation results to the order and the goals of the customer 

• personal integrity and autonomy; an attitude of impartiality and appreciation 

• Ability to detach from ones intentions and images 

• Clarity to the customer regarding the possibilities and limitations of constellations

Professional
attitude

Impartiality, neutrality, a sense of responsibility, mindfulness, appreciation and modesty are terms that stand for the professional attitude of a constellation leader.

• Focusing on solutions before, during and after the constellation process

• Transparency regarding the working hypotheses

• Respect of the agreed borders

• Working syntactically and with as few meanings as possible

• Detailed debriefing after each constellation

as well as​

​

• The solutions are the (own) performance of the client (system); they develop from within. They are not implemented from outside through interventions by a knowledgeable advisor

• System constellations are to be regarded as a dialogic group performance; the constellation leaders only bring helpful recommendations with their repertoire of tools.

• The constellation leaders are available for questions and any follow-up work after the constellation

• Secrecy is a matter of course

• Operators do a good amount of own work in the sense of regular further training, supervision or intervision and self-reflection

1. The publicly advertised seminar

According to the original concept, the constellation work is individual counseling in a group. Individuals can work there with the support of constellation leaders on specific issues. The other seminar participants are available as representatives. The topics can be professional or organizational in nature.

Advantages

Anonymity on personal, confidential or sensitive issues

As representatives, people outside the system have a neutral perception

Disadvantages

The integration of the hints usually has to be done on your own. Potential stakeholders, e.g. B. Team members do not experience the process themselves

2. The list in the individual consultation

People often prefer to raise a concern as part of an individual (individual) consultation. Objects (e.g. wooden and plastic figures or so-called ground anchors - paper discs placed in the room) serve as representations or the consultants make themselves available as reference objects or in representative perception. The questioner goes perceptively into the individual positions. In individual cases, external persons are used as representatives (representative pool).

Advantages

Extensive openness regarding the topics to be worked on - in addition to questions from everyday management and work life, private questions can also be discussed openly if necessary. Can be easily integrated into a coaching process. Fast availability, little effort, low costs.

Disadvantages

The interaction of system elements cannot be depicted because not all elements in the exhibition image are represented by people at the same time.

3. The internal workshop

In recent years, constellations have increasingly been carried out in (in-house) workshops with entire management and project teams. The focus is primarily on the search for information and answers to general management questions. Important decisions can be simulated, especially on a strategic level; such as  B. Options for strategic (re)positioning, effects of new structures, change management or questions regarding the chances of success of alliances, innovations, advertising campaigns, complex decisions.  All of these areas are characterized by a high level of complexity, uncontrollable momentum of their own and mostly high entrepreneurial risks. That is why the holistic view on several levels as well as the detection of implicit knowledge is particularly helpful and useful.

Advantages

Creation of a common reality; - collectively shared topic-specific experiences and perspectives emerge or differences come to light. Common experience - the whole group experiences a process together, which is mostly described as impressive and lastingly effective. This promotes commitment, positive emotional charging and goal-oriented action; ie there is a considerable additional benefit in the form of team development on the side. Physically perceptible effects on the actors - the perception of a dissatisfied customer, so to speak, on ones own body is, brain-physiologically conditioned, clearly stronger than any market study.

Disadvantages

People who are strongly rationally oriented often have reservations about an approach that they do not understand. Undesirable detection potential – the method can also potentially reveal hidden things that are not desired: e.g. B. a hidden agenda, point to personal relationship aspects, influences from the personality structure, etc. Dealing with this in a professional manner is within the competence of the constellators. It requires a high level of professional, methodical and ethical skills from the constellation leaders.

4. The brief intervention in the ongoing process

A new direction shows good results: At certain points of an ongoing consulting or management process, an intervention that is often not named as a constellation is set. Examples: You do a short simulation of the strategic reorientation that has just been worked out; the whole team walks (physically) towards the vision that has just been worked out; at a presentation, some of those present is the target group A,  B, C or a critical journalist or those affected by short-time work; non-affected; etc.; a working model, e.g. B. Customer benefit strategies according to Treacy/Wiersema are simulated with the help of a rope, etc. The examples show that the interventions are used as a small digression, as a learning loop, as an additional diagnostic tool, as a short analogous exercise; naturally integrated into the process; linked to the other accesses used

Advantages

Unspectacular use of implicit knowledge; appropriate access via different channels of perception. Good connectivity, acceptance and integrability

Disadvantages

Irritation in very ratio-controlled people (which can also be evaluated as a successful pattern break)

Areas of application

Every organizational topic can be visualized by a constellation. It does not necessarily have to be solely about the relationships of people in organizations in their roles. Each element of the enterprise system can be expressed in a constellation. In the following application areas constellations have proved very successful, others are conceivable and will be tried out.

Constellations in the context of​:

Business start-ups / company succession / market analysis / personnel selection / supplier selection / financing strategies / innovation management / stakeholder analysis / environmental protection / customer satisfaction / employee satisfaction / strategic processes / coming to terms with the past / company mergers / cultural analyzes and much more

Information gains through lineups: