CASE STUDY
Government Performance Consortium
HARVESTING & COLLABORATIVE DESIGN
The Challenge
The Government Performance Consortium (originally the Government Joy Network) was conducting a series of state-level workshops for government workers—building capacity through liberating structures training, lean methodologies, collaborative practices, and community praxis. They needed to capture and synthesize learning across multiple two-day workshops, then make that knowledge accessible to a broader audience beyond workshop participants.
Approach
The work began with visual harvesting—graphic recording and photography for a series of four two-day workshops. Each workshop generated visual artifacts documenting what participants learned and created together.
After the workshop series, the partnership evolved into something more ambitious: comprehensive documentation of everything the network had learned. What started as a simple documentation concept grew into a 100-page resource document on strategies for transforming government from the inside out. The document incorporated not just the workshops that had been graphic recorded, but the network’s broader work, including a scorecard system for assessing government effectiveness (visualized through custom iconography) and community stories. A second major resource document followed, focusing specifically on metrics and assessment for state and local governments.
Capacity Building Approach
An essential part of the work was building capacity within the network itself. The contract included apprenticeship opportunities—allowing network members to learn graphic recording by working alongside during workshops. Three different apprentices participated over the course of the engagement, learning by doing rather than just observing. This practice of opening up space for others to draw and learn isn’t common among graphic recorders, but it aligned with the network’s mission of building internal capacity rather than creating dependency on external consultants.
The Impact
- Created comprehensive 100-page resource book documenting government transformation strategies shared statewide in Washington
- The resource book was presented at National Lean Conference with positive reception by state government employees
- Created accessible visual resources that extended learning beyond workshop participants
- Demonstrated model of capacity-building consulting
Capabilities & Roles
Capabilities Utilized: Visual Facilitation & Harvesting, Program & Curriculum Design, Capacity Building, Collaborative Design
Roles Fulfilled: Graphic Recorder, Photographer, Visual Designer, Document Designer, Capacity Builder, Trainer, Collaborative Partner
“Jessica Riehl means it when she says she is a “collaborative” designer and facilitator. She does not wait to be asked to contribute her skill and expertise. She listens deeply and asks powerful questions, and then proactively engages in co-creation with her clients. For her, visual facilitation and harvesting is never an afterthought but rather strategically and systematically woven into the design of meetings and products. Our project to transform government from the inside out has really taken off in the last two years thanks in great part to the authentic presence, skillful facilitation and coaching, and high standards of excellence that Jessica brought to the team. Jessica’s work and approach is cutting-edge, impressive and admirable for it requires tremendous courage and mastery in multiple domains of competency and a solidly good human heart at the center of it all. I recommend her highly.”
-Chelsea Lei, Co-Creator Government Performance Consortium
“Learning alongside Jess during the GovJoy convening showed me how visuals can capture the heart of co-creation. I look back fondly on the harvests we created together and still use techniques she shared to capture the spirit in the room and the shared meaning that emerges. Her approach made complex conversations feel alive and joyful – leaving people with something truly imprinted in their minds.”
-Vangie Garcia, Apprentice
