Technology for alignment of participants in nature conservation: a case study at the Southern African Wildlife College

Abstract

Alignment between the participants in any process allows for effective and sustainable utilisation of resources. When alignment lacks, resources are diverted to address issues that are peripheral to the central issue at hand.'Ideally, all resources should be used for the main purpose of the exercise and not to deal with unnecessary problems. To illustrate the use of this alignment technology, it was applied to optimise both the participation of and benefit to the contributors at the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) as part of an academic course module. The alignment process ensures that each student becomes aware of his/her importance in the process and investigates the expectations of all the role players. The scene is set for answering Four Magic Questions (4MQ) and functions are developed for achieving the required outcomes. In order to stabilise the alignment, values management technology is used which enables the students to recognise and begin to deal with differing management styles.