In the early 1980's Steve de Shazer and colleagues working together in Milwaukee, USA, began to get interested in the question 'What works?' in bringing about change. Solution focused practice developed as a result of their research.

The ideas at the heart of Solution Focused Practice are remarkably simple, straightforward and supremely pragmatic. Yet these ideas have repeatedly demonstrated their powerful capacity to resolve difficulties and to build potential. Solution Focused Practice assumes that change and development is always achieved by people drawing on their resources. The approach is therefore radically competency-based, talking and thinking in a way that invites people to be noticing of and naming of their resources and strengths.

Solution Focused Practice is future-focused. It generates detailed pictures of the preferred future based on the best hopes and ambitions of leaders, team-members and key stakeholders in organisational life. Images such as these motivate and inspire people to take action.

Solution Focused Practice concentrates on everything that is already being done that is moving, or has the potential, to move in the direction of the preferred future. The focus is on doing what works, which motivates more than dwelling on what does not. Solution Focused Practice is progress sensitive and develops constructs which allow progress to be highlighted and the lessons of progress to be learnt.

Solution Focused Practice is associated with the development of high morale, high energy teams where members are supportive and appreciative of each other, and where confidence for the future can be securely based on the achievements of the past.

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