The Elegant Set is a facilitated exercise that is especially useful when an organization is under pressure to deliver a solution or to implement a strategy, and it is caught in a cycle of endless debate driven by deep irreconcilable differences among a large group of key stakeholders. This methodology is a way to move a group forward by tapping into the collective intelligence of the group to quickly identify workable common ground.
This exercise is also useful for identifying the critical few drivers for success in a large or very complex project. These leading indicators are often powerful tools that provide a common frame of reference for gauging and guiding the progress of work in time-sensitive projects.