The purpose of our method

Columbi’s approach to capturing and analysing subjective experiences is based on psychologist Ben Shalit’s research and the SPORQ analytical tool.

It’s not a standardized model but an adaptive approach that puts people’s experiences at the centre. Inspired by Ben Shalit’s research method and translated into today’s environment, Columbi creates structures for reflection and development that are grounded in real and current experiences.
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Why subjective experiences matter

Research shows that people’s perceived reality – not only the actual circumstances – strongly affects motivation, and the ability to cope and collaborate. (Shalit, 1988).

People’s own words, expressions and emotions represent an important source of understanding, development and change.

The scientific foundation – Ben Shalit and the SPORQ method

Ben Shalit (1934–2012) a military psychologist and researcher at, among others, the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOA) and Karolinska Institutet (KI). In the 1970’s he developed an approach for understanding how people cope in complex environments.
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At the core of this work was the development of the following method:

• Ask a single open-ended question, e.g., “How would you describe this situation?”
• Gather all responses in a non-hierarchical visual structure (a wheel) to avoid steering the interpretation.
• Calculate coping and perceptions.

The model is described in, among others, Shalit perceptual organization and reduction questionnaire (SPORQ) FOA 1979 and in reports from KI for example the “Assessment of wellbeing” in people undergoing treatment for serious chronic disease” KI 1980.

From military psychology to collaborative organisational development.

Columbi is inspired by Shalit’s perspective and, from his manual system, developed a digital tool built on the same core idea: the individual’s subjective story is the key.

In practice, this means that we:

• Ask one open-ended question that captures the individual’s experience without steering the answers.
• Collect, sort and analyse the responses both qualitatively and quantitatively.
• Reflect the results back to the group or leaders to build understanding and learning.
• Identify the organisation’s driving forces – what is perceived as positive/negative, understandable/uncontrollable, improved/deteriorated?

Backed by science. Relevant in practice.

Our method rests on Ben Shalit’s evidence but is also aligned with research such as:

• KASAM (Aaron Antonovsky)
• The 4 Player Model (David Kantor)
• Effective Teams (Susan Wheelan)
• Dialogue – The Art of Thinking Together (William Isaacs)

Columbi’s methodology is used in the:

• Private sector
• Municipalities, schools, and healthcare services
• Leadership programs and team development initiatives

The results show increased engagement and interaction, a clearer and mutually shared view of the current situation, a better understanding of the level of coping, and a more reality-based development process when groups are allowed to interpret and analyse their own input.