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Home » Methods » Competence Sun

Competence Sun

Lack of awareness of mutual competences
At least 3 project members
easy
30-40 minutes
  • Digital whiteboard: Miro or Mural
  • Video conferencing: Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc.
Best Practices

Explanation of the method

    1. Add wide rays of sunlight on digital collaboration board (e.g., Miro or Mural) according to the number of participants.
    2. Each person is now assigned a sunray and collects at least ten characteristics (e.g., competencies, resources, skills, interests) about themselves. These points are written down on a digital sticky note and placed on the corresponding sunray.
    3. The first person now begins to present his or her characteristics. If characteristics are mentioned that also apply to another person, that person shares that directly. Questions can be asked at any time.
    4. Collect the qualities that you all have in common in the center of the sun. All other traits are placed in that person's sun ray. The characteristics that only some people share are noted with their names or with colored dots.
    5. Finally, find a common group name for the competencies you have gathered (e.g., the travelers or the networkers). In addition, you have the possibility to creatively design the competence sun according to your group name. You now have a good overview of the existing competencies in the group.

Advantages

  • The Competence Sun is a very simple method that does not require a lot of time for its preparation or execution
  • The Competence Sun provides an overview of the team by addressing a wide range of competencies and characteristics
  • The tool leaves a lot of room for customization
  • The tool provides a good overview of where individual competencies complement each other

Disadvantages

  • It is possible that some people participate significantly more in the conversation than others. Here, consideration and the establishment of communication rules is helpful.
  • The tool is only suitable for an initial overview of the individual fields of competence. A deepening usually develops later in the conversation.

Advice from practice

  • Write down very different competencies and characteristics in order to have a wide range of topics available. This makes it easier to find commonalities and gives many different impressions about yourself.
  • Explain each competency with a few sentences or a few examples. This approach should serve to make the competencies more transparent to everyone.
  • Be open to the attributes of others. Similarities and differences need to be communicated openly, even if they are not written down on the digital sticky notes
Please note that the tools and methods were created as of August 2024 and all Miro Boards are editable.
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