Stage 2: Reading (Pulse of the Journey)
Purpose & Real-Time Insights
The Reading stage represents the dynamic heart of our evaluation framework, where we actively capture the pulse of capital flows as they happen during the action-learning journey. Unlike traditional evaluation approaches that primarily assess outcomes after completion, Reading enables continuous learning and adaptation by making value flows visible in real-time.
The primary purposes of the Reading stage include:
-
Capturing the living dynamics of capital flows as they emerge
-
Providing immediate feedback loops for participants and facilitators
-
Enabling responsive adaptation of activities based on emerging patterns
-
Creating a rich, multi-dimensional dataset for later sense-making
-
Fostering collective awareness of how value is being generated and exchanged
Real-time insights generated during this stage serve multiple functions:
-
Helping participants recognize and articulate the value they’re creating
-
Supporting facilitators in adapting programming to enhance capital flows
-
Identifying emerging patterns that might indicate systemic shifts
-
Highlighting unexpected connections between different forms of capital
-
Revealing potential barriers or enablers to regenerative development
Data-Collection Methods
Telegram Bots
At the core of our data collection system are Telegram bots designed to capture reflections, observations, and attributions in accessible, low-friction ways:
-
Voice Journaling: Participants can record voice notes that are automatically transcribed, analyzed, and tagged according to the co-created framework
-
Text Reflections: Direct text inputs with optional explicit tagging using the #aspect/capital/direction format
-
Prompted Reflections: Scheduled prompts that invite specific reflections at key moments
-
Peer Attribution: Functionality for acknowledging value received from others
The bot employs a hybrid tagging system that combines:
-
Explicit user-defined tags
-
AI-inferred classifications based on content analysis
-
Confidence scoring to determine when human validation is needed
Programmatic Data Collection
Beyond direct participant inputs, the system also captures:
-
Code Submissions: Technical outputs and documentation
-
Public Chat Histories: Interactions in group channels
-
Digital Artifacts: Documents, designs, and other created materials
-
Metadata: Timestamps, locations, and contextual information
Attribution Systems
A key innovation in our approach is the peer-based attribution system:
-
Participants can acknowledge value received from others
-
These attributions create a network map of capital flows between individuals
-
The system tracks both the source and recipient of each capital exchange
-
Intensity of flows can be indicated on a scale (e.g., 1-5)
Touchpoints (Daily Prompts, Weekly Circles, Field Observations)
Daily Reflection Cycles
Regular touchpoints ensure consistent data collection throughout the journey:
-
Morning Intentions: “What capitals do you hope to generate today?”
-
Evening Reflections: “What flows of value did you experience today?”
-
Activity Debriefs: Structured reflections after key programming elements
-
Spontaneous Captures: Participant-initiated reflections at any time
Weekly Collective Sense-Making
Deeper, facilitated touchpoints occur on a weekly basis:
-
Reflection Circles: Facilitated group discussions about observed capital flows
-
Pattern Recognition: Collective identification of emerging themes and connections
-
Adaptation Dialogues: Conversations about how to enhance value generation
-
Cross-Pollination: Sharing insights across different teams or focus areas
Field Observations
During immersive experiences (like the Dream Village farm visit), specialized prompts capture contextual insights:
-
Place-Based Reflections: How the specific context influences capital flows
-
Cross-Context Comparisons: Differences in value generation between settings
-
Embodied Learning: Physical and experiential dimensions of capital flows
-
Cultural Immersion: How cultural context shapes value perception and generation
Mapping Flows Across Capitals & Spheres
As data is collected, it is continuously mapped across multiple dimensions:
Capital Flow Mapping
-
Source → Recipient Tracking: Who/what generated capital for whom/what
-
Conversion Pathways: How one form of capital transforms into another
-
Flow Intensity: Strength or significance of each capital exchange
-
Temporal Patterns: How flows change over time and in different contexts
Sphere Evolution Tracking
Simultaneously, data is analyzed for its implications across the five systemic spheres:
-
Cultural Sphere: Shifts in values, narratives, and meaning-making
-
Economic Sphere: Changes in resource flows and exchange patterns
-
Social Sphere: Evolutions in relationships and social structures
-
Political Sphere: Developments in governance and decision-making
-
Ecological Sphere: Impacts on and interactions with natural systems
Integration Points
The Reading stage creates integration points between:
-
Individual and collective experiences
-
Different forms of capital
-
Various systemic spheres
-
Explicit and tacit knowledge
-
Planned and emergent outcomes
By maintaining this dynamic, multi-dimensional mapping throughout the journey, the Reading stage creates a rich tapestry of data that reveals not just what value is being created, but how it flows, transforms, and contributes to systemic evolution across multiple scales and dimensions.