Formation of planning groups and data collection in a Change Laboratory

This article discusses strategies for planning a Change Laboratory (CL), with a focus on the formation of planning groups and the collection of mirror data. Planning is organized into three levels: (i) strategic, composed of researchers and decision makers, which aligns the intervention with organizational objectives; (ii) methodological, bringing together experienced and novice researchers, with an emphasis on method and peer learning; and (iii) operational, which involves researchers and participants in reflecting on the sessions and adapting the actions to practice. As for data collection, different methods can be used, such as interviews, shadowing, field visits and participant observation, in addition to workshop records, documents, questionnaires, videos, or the collection carried out by the participants themselves. Mirror data, by reflecting the reality of the activity, is fundamental to fostering discussions and promoting expansive learning. It is concluded that the methodological and operational groups strengthen the sustainability of learning, allowing their continuity beyond the sessions.