Groups who have utilized the AI approach cite the following as some of the positive benefits gained:

" It evokes trust - everyone is there together
" It allows people to see "the whole system" and a purpose greater than their own or their specific department.
" People's natural stores of goodness are tapped into - people feel a sense of belonging.
" It establishes credibility in outcomes; people feel part of the decision-making process and are more willing to commit to the action stages.
" New group norms are formed - there is movement from "I" to "we"

(The Garden Patch: An Organic Approach to Planning for the Voluntary Sector, A.E. Campbell, 2003)