Introduction to Dragon Dreaming:

A Framework for Creating Outrageously Successful

Projects

By John Croft ©

In the beginning

• Every project, no matter how big starts as the dream of a single individual person

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

• Every successful project occurs in an environment

• Every project is thus an ‘encounter’ between the “self” and the “other”, connecting the individual to their environment

s

e

l

f

o

t

h

e

r

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

The Project• In a project an individual contributes

time, effort and even financial support

INPUT• In a project an individual may also

learn new skills, receive recognition either financially or by recognition

OUTPUT• In a successful project the

environment will contribute to achieving the goals of the project

INPUT

• As a result of the project the environment may be transformed

OUTPUT

Between the individual and the environment there

is an open interface of giving

and receiving between the two

sectors

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

The Project• At the start of the project the interface

is displaced to the left because most activity is the input of the individual, and there are few obvious outputs INPUT

• In a sustainable project the interface is displaced right because most of the activity is from the environment, and individuals receive proportionally to what they gave

OUTPUT

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

The Project

Thus over the lifetime of a

successful project the interface moves back and forth with

the changes of inputs and outputs

But this is a one-dimensional model for a project, we need a

second dimension

THEORY

PRACTICE

Truly successful projects fully integrate theory with

practiceAgain there are inputs and

outputs on both sides

Again there is an open interface between the two

THEORY

PRACTICE

At the start of the project the interface is displaced

downwards, because the project is almost entirely

theoreticalWhen sustainable, the practice component

becomes almost automatic

At the start of the project the interface is displaced

downwards, because the project is almost entirely

theoretical

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

Output/ Input

2

Output/ Input

3

Output/ Output

4

Input/ Input

1

THE PROCESS

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

2

3 4

Stimulus

1

The flow of information

Threshold

ResponseAction

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

2

34

Input/ Input

1

THE PROCESS

Quadrant 1Stimulus

Intention

RelationshipSuccess Criteria

of

in

Overall Task

DREAMING

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

34

Output/ Input

1

THE PROCESS

Quadrant 2

Threshold

Possibility

ContextSuccess Criteria

of

in

Overall Task

PLANNING

2

Thinking Globally

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

4

Output/ Input

1

THE PROCESS

Quadrant 3

Action

Behaviour

CommitmentSuccess Criteria

of

in

Overall Task

DOING

2

3

Acting Locally

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

Output/ Output

1

THE PROCESS

Quadrant 4

Response

Feedback

SatisfactionSuccess Criteria

of

in

Overall Task

CELEBRATING

2

3

4

Being Personally

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

2

34

Input/ Input

1

Stimulus of Intention in

RelationshipDREAMING

Gather Information

Stimulus

Awareness

Threshold

Motivation

Perceiving Newly

But what is happening in each quadrant?

90% of Projects get stuck in the Dream

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

34

Output/ Input

1

Threshold of Possibility in ContextPLANNING

Test or Trial Pilot Project

Considering Alternatives

Design a Strategy

2

90% of Projects fail to work according to plan

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

4

Output/ Input

1

Action of Behaviour in Commitment

DOING Monitor Progress

Implementation

Management & Administration

2

3 90% of Projects fail to last longer than 3 years

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

Output/ Output

1

Response of Feedback in Satisfaction

CELEBRATING

Results for Individuals

Acquire New Skills

Judgement

2

3

4

Judgement connects to Awareness closing the spiral

THEORY

PRACTICE

INDIVIDUAL

ENVIRONMENT

2

3 4

1

Putting it all together, making dreams come true.

Stimulus of Intention in

Relationship

DREAMINGPerceiving

Newly

1

Gather Information

Awareness

Motivation

Test or Trial Pilot Project

Considering Alternatives

Design a Strategy

Monitor Progress

Implementation

Management & Administration

Results for Individuals

Acquire New Skills

Judgement

Threshold of Possibility in

Context

PLANNINGThinking Globally

2

Action of Behaviour in Commitment

DOINGActing Locally

3Response of Feedback in Satisfaction

CELEBRATINGBeing

Personally

4

Empowerment, Liberation,

Humanisation & Interdependence