What is GRASP?

I recently stumbled across a great framework called GRASP: Getting Results and Solving Problems.

It’s from the Comino Foundation, a foundation set up to support innovation practice. It was set up by Demetrius “Dimitri” Comino, a Greek-Australian engineer and entrepreneur that founded Dexion after settling in the UK post-university. There’s a great biography including a history of his businesses and foundation available here.

The framework can also apparently be referred to as: Getting Results and Seizing Potential  “because it became most effective in helping people to achieve their full potential” according to the Foundation.

How does it work?

Here are the steps as described on the Foundation’s website:

1. Define your purpose in terms of what you want to achieve
   • NB. Not what you want to do!
2. When defining purpose, keep asking the question ‘Why?’
   • Ask “What do I really want to achieve?”
3. Imagine in detail how it will be when you have succeeded
   • Use this picture of success to establish the criteria by which you will know if you have succeeded.
4. Examine alternative means by which the desired result might be achieved
   • Never allow yourself to think that there is only one way to succeed.
5. Choose what seems to be the best option and make a plan.
6. Carry through your chosen plan.
7. Repeat the process to see if you can do better or have redefined your purpose, which often happens.
8. Review the process at each stage.

Comments on the framework

I really like this framework as it includes several key tools.

Firstly, the use of Why? is drilling down past our pre-conceived notions and limiting beliefs in the same way as the Five Whys methodology.

Secondly, it is goal focus and not activity focused. This primes us to discard our limited thinking to date and to consider the most efficient way possible to get to our goals.

Thirdly, it contains an element of measurement which is key for the successful completion of any plan.

Finally, the use of visualisation not only makes it real but allows us to actually understand what the goal will feel like when we have achieved it. This useful for motivation, but it is also useful when we take into consideration which of our 6 Human Needs it is actually helping us achieve. This deeper understanding will help us to get closer to what we really need to achieve in order to satisfy our core needs.

My version

I’ve created my own version which reads:

1. What do I want to achieve?
   • Why?
2. Visualise in detail the completed goal.
   • Use this vision to establish the success criteria.
3. Examine alternative means to achieve the desired result.
   • There is always another way!
4. Choose the best option and make a plan.
5. Execute.
6. Repeat.

Download template

You can also download my version of their questions in a handy PDF template here:

GRASP Getting Results and Solving Problems template.