Definition of Applied Improvisation

[Frederique Thiriet-Smith]

Since I am part of the AIN, I heard a lot about Applied Improvisation and I met a lot of AIN members. Still I am not sure we share the same definition. And I couldn't find any in the FAQ.
I am evolving from my first definition on www.fts-training-consulting.com/methods.html
to the one in progress:
Applied Improvisation is a method to bring the Improvisation spirit to the workplace. By Improvisation spirit I mean the principles of Improvisation Theater as I learnt it (I can't say about Jazz Improvisation, I am not playing) : being in the moment, listening to your partner(s), accepting whatever comes, building on what is there, making your partner look good-taking care of each other, daring taking risks and making mistakes, and enjoying the whole!
(Here the first question: Do we limit the definition to applications to the workplace (organisations), or do we extend to Education in general or simply in life? Is there an idea of business or is it philanthropic? )
There are many ways to achieve this from an improvisation workshop to a culture change through different practices : improvisation training, facilitation of workshops mixing improvisation games and theoretical input, consulting or coaching applying the principles without playing games,...
I see three levels :
1) awareness (conscious incompetence to eventually conscious competence) This is what we get in an Improvisation workshop,
2) proficiency. Needs lots of practice and reinforcement (conscious competence to unconscious competence)
3) philosophy/culture, Improvisation principles are completely assimilated and are observed in the behaviour of each individual (unconscious competence).
And of course Applied Improvisation brings a lot : development of essential competencies, teambuilding, change, ...

I would be interested to know what is your definition.

[Paul Levy]

In my own view, improvisation isn't something "we" apply to the workplace. We do not bring improvisation in from outside.

Improvisation exists in all human beings - we are inherently creative and our reactivity is a natural spontaneity.

Improvisation is sometimes necessarily proscribed by organisational structures and processes in order to create consistent, repeatable products and services - many are dependent on standardised process and structures or, indeed, we wouldn't even be communicating with each other on these computers we are so used to.

However, organisational overstructure can stifle needed creativity and proscribe improvisation so much that it becomes suppressed, restricting innovation and also creating a range of social problems around locked creativity, boredom etc.

In my view "Applied improvisation" is the use of activities, facilitation, intervention etc. the unlocks the improvisational skills, processes and wishes, already inherent as potential within people and organisations and then (in different ways) creating more or less direct ways of applying this emerging spontaneity to organisational and personal questions, challenges and problems.

[Frederique Thiriet-Smith]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for your answer. I agree that improvisation exists everywhere, that everyone has the potential to improvise and that it is not something we need to bring.
What we bring is a framework to allow getting the best results with improvisation.
Just like an improvised dialog will not make a good scene, if no one listen to the other or block any suggestion, "improvising" at work is not appreciated when it means "careless lack of preparation" instead of "making the best of what is available now". For me, there is "Improvisation" and "Improvisation". Applied Improvisation provides guidelines to get the best out of improvisation.