Solution Focused Scaling

Are you feeling stuck?

Are you struggling to identify or achieve your goals?

Solution Focused Scaling might be the tool you need to get unstuck and move forward toward your desired future. 

Scaling is a familiar concept most of us have encountered in surveys and questionnaires. But did you know that it can be a powerful technique for goal setting and achievement? By framing the problem as the desired future and giving it a tangible number scale, you can take stock of your current state, envision the next steps, and reflect on progress over time.

But that's not all. Solution Focused Scaling offers several benefits for education and human services organizations and staff. Focusing on strengths and progress makes staff feel more motivated and confident in their abilities individually and collectively. Collaboration enhances the effectiveness of goal attainment through aligning staff as they identify and build on shared strengths. Furthermore, Solution Focused Scaling encourages a problem-solving mindset where staff can identify solutions to their challenges, leading to more effective outcomes for those they serve.

Ten years ago, faced with a truly overwhelming situation, I gave this strategy a nervous try. I never could have guessed it would transform my life. Not only was Scaling the first solution-focused tool I tried, but it is now my first, last, and everything in-between tool. Let’s dive into this tool and how we’ve updated and adapted it to integrate emerging brain science regarding engagement and productivity.

Let’s take a moment to talk about why this tool is so effective.

1. Scaling in concept is familiar to most of us. Most of us have collected more than our fair share of services, products, and politics surveys. 

2. Scaling has a formula; there are easy steps you can follow.

3. Once you become familiar with the tool, you can adapt it to meet your style client or participant's need. 

4. It allows all parties to have a shared frame of reference and track progress over time.

5. It’s an easily repeatable tool that people can use to empower and engage in the outcomes and solutions they wish to see. 

Solution Focused Scaling offers several benefits for education and human services staff. Focusing on strengths and progress can help staff feel more motivated and confident in their abilities. Collaboration enhances the effectiveness of goal attainment through aligning staff as they identify and build on shared strengths. Furthermore, Solution Focused Scaling encourages a problem-solving mindset where staff can identify solutions to their challenges, leading to more effective outcomes for those they serve.

What is Solution Focused Scaling?

Solution Focused Scaling is a technique that helps individuals identify the strengths and successes present today and those that will move them forward. First, we frame the problem as the desired future. We then give that pathway to that future a tangible number scale. Participants give their current state a tangible number. This number helps them take stock of the inventory of what got them where they are today, envision the next steps, and reflect on progress over time.

The traditional Solution Focused Scale steps:

1. Identify the preferred future.

2. Scale where you are between 1-10; from impossibly far away at one and the preferred future at the end, this is your X.

3. Find what works through X-1.

4. Imagine the next steps if X+1.

SMARTER Scaling Formula

1. Identify the preferred future.

2. Scale between 1-10; from impossibly far away at one and the preferred future at the end, this is your X.

3. Identify why this is important. 

1. Return to step one if steps two and one are not fully aligned. It is essential to the SMARTER Scale that you find your true motivation and actionable steps.

2. Ask a lot of questions here, more than you think you need. “What else?” or “Anything else?” is my favorite question.  

4. Find what works through X-1.

5. Imagine the next steps if X+1.

6. Identify next smallest step and what might arrise from taking that step.

Challenges and Best Practices

While Solution Focused Scaling can be an efficient and effective tool for empowering and engaging staff, there are some critical points where you want to be sure not to rush or push. Before diving into scaling, consider the following:

• Is more time needed to vent or process that might prevent authentic engagement in solutions talk?

• If working with another, what relationship building might be needed first to build trust before engaging in imaginative exercises?

Click here for the SMARTER self-coaching worksheet to give it a try.

Ready to use this tool for goal setting and growth? Sign up for our newsletter to receive the SMARTER Scaling How To Guide in your inbox before the new year!