PREPAREDBY
DesigningDesignWorkshops
AdamConnor,VPOrganizationalDesign&Training– Mad*Pow Jan.25,2016
OVERVIEW
4
DesigningDesignWorkshopsWorkshopsandcollaborativeactivitiesprovideteamswiththepotentialtogeneratemoreandbetterideasforasolution,allowindividualteammemberstosharetheirpoints-of-view,andbuildconsensusarounddesignsolutions.However,effectiveworkshopstakemorethoughtthanjustputtingpeopletogetherinaroom.Inthisworkshopparticipantswill:
• Exploreandpracticeavarietyofworkshopactivities• Learnwhentousewhichtypesofactivities• Reviewbestpracticesforplanningworkshops• Andlearnhowtofacilitateactivitiesanddiscussionsincludingadvicefordealingwithdifficultparticipants.
OVERVIEW
5
OVERVIEW
6
WhoWeAre
Mad*Powisadesignagencythatimprovestheexperiencespeoplehavewithtechnology,organizationsandeachother.
ExperienceDesign|DesignStrategy|MotivationalDesign|OrganizationalDesign
AdamConnorVPOrganizationalDesign&Training,ExperienceDesigner
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
10
Studios,Sprints,Workshops,Whatever…Workshopsaremeetingscomprisedof1ormoreactivitiesinwhichALL*participants:
• Arepresentedwith1ormorequestionsorchallenges
• Exploreandprovidetheiranswersorideasforsolutionstothegivenchallengethroughhands-onactivities
• Worktogetherto(beginto)understandandorganizetheirperspectives/answers/ideas.
*Withtheexceptionofthemasterfacilitator
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
11
Workshopscanbeusedto…• Generateandcollectavarietyofideas
• Allowallteammemberstosharetheirperspectives.
• Buildawarenessacrossteammembersofchallenges,perspectivesfromeachotherandthedesiredsolution
• Buildasharedvocabulary
• Findconsensusaroundelementsofthefinalsolution
• Buildasenseofcollaborationandofownershipinthesolution
• And…
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
12
Avoidingthealltofamiliar,andhorriblypainful…
Swoop-n-poop!
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
13
Reconsiderworkshopswhen…• Keymembersofthe“team”aren’twillingtoparticipate
• Theteam(orleadership)isunwillingtomoveawayfromanexistingsolution.
• Therearen’tclearobjectivesoroutputsfortheworkshop
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
14
Thecontents(activitiesandtopics)ofaworkshoparealwaysdeterminedbytheobjectivesoroutputthattheworkshopneedstoachieve.
Understandingwhereyouareintheoverallprocessofyourprojectcanhelpclarifywhatyourobjectivesoroutputshouldfocuson.
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
15
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
16
TheDesignThinkingProcess
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
17
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE GENERATE REFINE
Initial Insight Plan Release
EVALUATE
DiscoverExploretheinfluences,actors,contexts,triggers,constraints,etc.ofaproblemoropportunityset.
TheDesignThinkingProcess
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
18
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE
Initial Insight Plan
SynthesizeOrganizefindingsintoinsights:whatthegroupbelievesandunderstandsabouttheproblemspaceandarticulatingtheobjectivesforthefuturestatethattheprojectwillworktocreate.
TheDesignThinkingProcess
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
19
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE GENERATE
Initial Insight Plan
GenerateGeneratealargenumberofideasfor“solutions”(products,services,etc.)forachievingthedesiredobjectives.
TheDesignThinkingProcess
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
20
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE GENERATE REFINE
Initial Insight Plan Release
RefineIterate,combine,andeliminatesolutionsbasedonanalysisandappropriatevariableswhileincreasingfidelityuntilone(orasmallnumber)ofsolutionsaredetermined.
TheDesignThinkingProcess
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
21
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE GENERATE REFINE
Initial Insight Plan Release
EVALUATE
EvaluateDeploythesolution(s)insomeformandmonitorit’seffectontheproblemspace.
TheDesignThinkingProcess
THEWHYS&WHENSOFWORKSHOPS
22
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE GENERATE REFINE
Initial Insight Plan Release
EVALUATE
TheDesignThinkingProcess
MAKINGITWORK
STRUCTURE&PLANNING
23
24
Bringingpeopletogethertoworkcollaborativelycanbesochallengingsometimes?
TheDiamondModelSTRUCTURE&PLANNING
25
TheDiamondModelSTRUCTURE&PLANNING
26
DivergentWorkingtocollectasmanyanswers,ideas,etc.aspossiblefromthegroup.
TheDiamondModelSTRUCTURE&PLANNING
27
ConvergentMakingdecisionstofocusattentiononasubsetofwhathasbeencollected.
TheDiamondModelSTRUCTURE&PLANNING
28
TheDiamondModelSTRUCTURE&PLANNING
29
EmergentAnalyzingandorganizingideas/answers/etc.inordertomakesenseofthem.Duringthistime,somenewideasmightarise,orbeconsolidatedtogether.
Youkeepusingthatword…
Idonotthinkitmeanswhatyouthinkitmeans.
Gettingwhereyouneedtogo.
PlanningBackwards• Identifytheimmediatenextactionyouneedtobeabletotakeoncetheworkshop
iscomplete.
• Askyourselfwhatinformation,decisions,artifacts,oranswersyouneedinordertobeabletotakethataction.
• Askyourselfthesamequestionagainandrepeatuntilyoureachwhateverinformationyoucurrentlyhave.
• Younowhaveaninformationtrailfromyourcurrentstatetoyourdesiredfuturestate.Selectthebestactivitiestoacquirethisinformationanddecidewhatcanbeaccomplishedinyourworkshoporaspreorpostwork.
STRUCTURE&PLANNING
32
Timeisaresource.Planaccordingly.
AllAboutAgendas• You’llneedone.Ithelpsyoufigureoutwhatyoucangetdoneinthetimeyouhave.
• Don’tsaveitforlast.(It’susuallythesecond…andfourth...andsixththingIdo)
• Giveeverythingspecifictimings,notgeneralblockslike“earlymorning”.
• Ifthingsfeeltightwhenputtingtogetheranagenda,they’llprobablyseemworseintheactualworkshop.
• Padeverything.Thingsalmostalwaystakelongerthanyouthinktheywill.Plusyou’llneedtimefortransitions,instructions,clarifications,etc.
• Rememberthatthetimeneededformanyactivitieswillbedependedonthenumberofparticipants.
• HaveotherslookitoverandgiveyoutheirOK,especiallyifleadershipisinvolved.
STRUCTURE&PLANNING
34
DISCOVER
37
DISCOVER
38
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE GENERATE REFINE
Initial Insight Plan Release
EVALUATE
DiscoverExploretheinfluences,actors,contexts,triggers,constraints,etc.ofaproblemoropportunityset.
TheDesignThinkingProcess
Formanyprojects,muchofthegatheringofinformationwillbedoneviaresearch.However,gatheringperspectivesfromparticipants(suchasstakeholders)willstillbeimportant.Forexample:
• Understandingvariousperspectivesofthechallengestobesolved.
• Understandingtherolesassociatedwithaproject’sexecution.
• Understandinginitialobjectives(i.e.goalsandprinciples).
DISCOVER
39
ChallengeMapDISCOVER
40
USETO
Reframeaproblemspacebyexploringperspectiveson
whyitshouldbedoneandchallengestoit’ssuccess.
PARTICIPANTS
Workinpairsortriplets.
TIME
Minimumof25minutes.Moredependingonthescope
&numberofparticipants.
HOWTODOIT
1. Divideintosmallgroups(2-3peoplepergroup).Eachteamwillthen:
2. Writethecurrentproblemstatementintheformof“Howmightwe…”onapost-itandplaceitinthecenterwhiteboard (orbutcherpaper)
3. Usingadifferentcolorpostit,askthequestion,“Whyshouldwedothis?”Capturingeachansweronanindividualpostitandplacingtheminarowabovetheoriginalstatement.Prefaceeachansweragainwith“Howmightwe…”or(HMW…)forshort.
4. Foreachanswer,repeatstep3,continuingtoexpandoutwardandupwarduntiltheteamfeelstheanswersit’suncoveringarenolongeruseful.
5. Selectathirdcolorpostitandbeginworkingbelowtheoriginalproblemstatement.Hereyouwillchallengetheproblemstatementwith“Whatispreventingusfromdoingthis?”or“Whatispreventingthisfromhappeningtoday?”Again,includetheHWM...preface.
6. Continue,movingdownwardinthesamefasionasyoudidforthequestionof“Why”insteps3&4.
7. Examinealloftheanswersanddetermineifoneormorewouldmightmakemoreapporpriateproblemstatements.
8. Haveeachgroupsharetheirresultslookingforpatternsandoverlap.
ChallengeMapDISCOVER
41
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Leftunchecked,thisactivitycangoonforever.Masterandgroupfacilitatorsshouldlookfordiminishingreturnstodeterminewhenbesttoend.
MATERIALS
Whiteboard(orbutcher/flipchartpaper)
PostIts(3colors)
Markers
PAIRSWELLWITH
Followupwithactivitiestoevaluatethepotentialnew
problemstatements.ActivitieslikeSWOTAnalysis,
20/20Vision,andvoting-basedexercisescanworkwell.
FreeListingDISCOVER
45
USETO
Gatherdataaboutagroup’sunderstandingofthe
“contents”ofaspecifictopic.
PARTICIPANTS
2ormorepeopleworkingindividually
TIME
5-10minutesforinitialcollection.Timeneededfor
presentingandorganizingitemswillbevariable.
HOWTODOIT
1. Provideparticipantswithatopicrelatedtothepurposeoftheprojectorworkshop.Forexample,“autoinsurance”
2. Askparticipantstoindividuallywritedownasmanythingsastheycanrelatedtoautoinsurance.
3. Dependingonhowyouplantoanalyzeandorganizeparticipantsanswersyoumaywantthemtowriteeachitemonaseparatenotecardorpostit,orwriteallanswersonasheetofpaper.
FreeListingDISCOVER
46
MATERIALS
PostIts,notecards,orpaper
Markers
Tape
PAIRSWELLWITH
Oftenfollowedupwithaffinitymappingactivities.
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Dependingonhowyouplantoanalyzeandorganizeparticipantsanswersyoumaywantthemtowriteeachitemonaseparatenotecardorpostit(forusewhenaffinitymapping),orwriteallanswersonasheetofpaper.
2. Whenfollowingwithaffinitymapping,haveparticipantspresenttheirresponsestoeachother.Postingeachitemonthewallastheypresent.
WHYWEUSEIT
Bygatheringtheitemsthatpeoplecomeupwithwecanthencomparesimilaritiesandfrequenciesoftopicstounderstandmoreabouttheperspectiveofthegroupasawhole.
4CsDISCOVER
47
USETO
Buildanunderstandingofagroup’sperspectivesona
specifictopic.
PARTICIPANTS
4- 24people
TIME
25– 30minutes
HOWTODOIT
1. Drawalarge2x2gridonaneaselpadorwhiteboard.Labelthe4spaces:Components,Characteristics,Challenges,Characters
2. Provideparticipantswithatopicrelatedtothepurposeoftheprojectorworkshop.Forexample,“autoinsurance”
3. Explaintoparticipantsthattheactivity’spurposeistohelpthemexplorewhattheyknowabouttheselectedtopicbyhavingthemgatherinformationwithrespecttoeachofthe4spaces:
• Components:partsofthetopic.
• Characteristics,attributesofthetopic
• Challenges:obstaclesassociatedwiththetopic
• Characters:peopleorrolesassociatedwiththetopic.
4. Breakparticipantsintofourequallysizedteams.Assigneachteamoneofthe“C”sandprovidethemwithpostitnotesandmarkers.
5. Instructtheteamsthattheirjobistocollectasmuchinformationabouttheirassigned“C”fromothersintheroom.Givetheteams5minutestodiscusstheirassigned“C”andhowtheywillgatherinformation.
4CsDISCOVER
48
USETO
Buildanunderstandingofagroup’sperspectivesona
specifictopic.
PARTICIPANTS
4- 24people
TIME
25– 30minutes
HOWTODOIT
6. Oncethe5minuteplanningperiodhaselapsed,givetheteams10minutestogatherinformationfromasmanyoftheotherparticipantsaspossible.
7. Attheendofthe10minutegatheringperiod,giveeachteam5minutestoorganizewhatthey’vecapturedinwhateverwaytheydeemappropriateandthenaddtheirorganizedfindingstotheirspaceontheoriginal2x2grid.
8. Haveeachteampresenttheirfindingstotheothersandfacilitatediscussiontoaskclarifyingquestionsandhaveotherparticipantsaddinformationiftheysensesomethingmissing.
4CsDISCOVER
49
MATERIALS
PostIts
Markers
EaselPadorWhiteboard
PAIRSWELLWITH
Oftenfollowedbyfurtherexplorationsintoproblem
framing(challengemaps),principlesorgoals(free
listing),personas(proto-personas)etc.
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Youdon’tneedtousethe4Csaslaidouthere.Ifthereareotherelementsofthetopicmoreappropriateforyoursituation,usethoseinstead.
WHYWEUSEIT
Teammemberscometoprojectswiththeirownperspectiveswhichisimportant,butoneaspectofgoodcollaborationisseeingtheperspectivesofothers.Thisactivityforcesparticipantstogatherinformationfromothermembersoftheteam.Italsoactsasastrongintroductiontothegroup’sperspectivessettingthestagefordiscussionsonpersonas,principles,scenarios,etc.
SYNTHESIZE
50
SYNTHESIZE
51
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE GENERATE REFINE
Initial Insight Plan Release
EVALUATE
SynthesizeOrganizefindingsintoinsights:whatthegroupbelievesandunderstandsabouttheproblemspaceandarticulatingtheobjectivesforthefuturestatethattheprojectwillworktocreate.
TheDesignThinkingProcess
During“Synthesize”theteambuildsasharedunderstandingofboththecurrentstatesurroundingtheproblemspaceaswellastheirobjectivesandvisionforit’sfuture.Workdoneduringthisphaseoftenfocusesontheseaspects:
• Theframingofthe“problem”or“opportunity”
• EstablishingPersonas
• IdentifyingGoals(OKRs)
• ArticulatingPrinciples
• ConstructingScenarios
SYNTHESIZE
52
Proto-PersonasSYNTHESIZE
53
USETO
Developanunderstandingoftheteam’sperspectives
ontheneeds,constraints,andcontextsoftheir
audience/users.
PARTICIPANTS
Upto10people
TIME
3-5hours,typicallydividedover2sessions.Additional
timeinbetweensessionsneededforconsolidation.
HOWTODOIT
1. Introducetheconceptofpersonasandproto-personas(asnecessary).
2. Provideparticipantswithproto-personatemplates,orhavethemconstructtheirown(paperdividedintoquadrantslabeled:Name&Sketch,Demographics,Behaviors,Needs&Goals.
3. Workingindividually,giveparticipants15minutestocomeupwithasmanypersonasastheycanthinkoffortheproject.
4. Oncetimeisup,haveeachparticipantpresenttheirpersonastothegroup,postingthemtothewallastheydo.
5. Workwiththeteamtoselect4-5characteristicsthatcanbeconveyedasaspectrum(ex:riskaversion)basedonthepoolofpersonas.Thesecharacteristicswillbeusedtohelporganizethepersonasandidentifyopportunitiestoconsolidate.Trytoselectcharacteristicsrelatedtobehaviors/needs/goalsratherthandemographics.
6. Drawthespectrumsonawhiteboard.Havethegroupdecidewheretheeachpersonafallsoneachspectrum,placingapostitwiththatpersona’snameatthatpoint.Votingcardscanbeusefulhere.
7. Makesurethatconversationsfocusontheusersthemselves.Participantsshouldbedebatingeachother,nottryingtoconvinceyou(thefacilitator).
Proto-PersonasSYNTHESIZE
54
USETO
Developanunderstandingoftheteam’sperspectives
ontheneeds,constraints,andcontextsoftheir
audience/users.
PARTICIPANTS
Upto10people
TIME
3-5hours,typicallydividedover2sessions.Additional
timeinbetweensessionsneededforconsolidation.
HOWTODOIT
8. Onceallpersonashavebeenplaced,endthefirstday/sessionwithaquickdescriptionofthenextsession’swork.
9. Beforethenextsession,examinethepersonasthathavebeengeneratedandworktorefine/consolidatethemintoasmallerset(3-5ish)asnecessary.Keeptrackofyourworkasinsomecasesyou’llneedtoexplainyourrationaletothegroup.
• Forthisstep,combinethedemographicsandname/sketchquadrantsfromthefirstroundandusethelowerleftquadrantforthepersonaspositioningonthecharacteristicspectrums.
10.Whenthegroupgathersagain,presentthemwiththenewsetofpersonasandhowyouarrivedatthem.
11.Allowthegrouptoadjustthenewpersonasasnecessarytoreachagreement.
Proto-PersonasSYNTHESIZE
55
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Largegroupscanmakethisactivitysomewhatdifficult.Whendealingwithsignificantlylargegroupsitcanbeusefultobreakoutintomultiplesessionsandrunthejustthefirstsessionwitheachsubgroup,thenthesecondsessionwithacore,decisionmakinggroup.
2. Iftheentiregroupissufficientlysmallenough,youmaybeabletodothepersonaconsolidationtogether.
3. Whendividingover2sessions,donotallowtoomuchtimetoelapsebetweensessions.Toomuchtimeinbetweenkillsmomentum.
WHYWEUSEIT
Personasareausefultoolforunderstandinguser/customerarchetypes.Butprojectsdon’talwaysallowforthemorsometimesweneedtotalkaboutusersbeforethey’vebeencreated.Thisapproachallowsorganizationstobuilduponandlatervalidateorinvalidatetheirunderstandingoftheiraudienceearlierintheprocess.
MATERIALS
Whiteboard(orbutcher/flipchartpaper)
PostIts(3colors)
Markers
PAIRSWELLWITH
Followupwithadditionalexplorationlikeempathy
mappingand/orjourneymapping.Orpossiblywith
brainstormingactivitieslikeDesignStudioor6-8-5.
EmpathyMappingSYNTHESIZE
60
USETO
Helpparticipantsempathizewithspecificaudiencesin
agivensituation.
PARTICIPANTS
Teamsofupto6people.
TIME
20-25minutes
HOWTODOIT
1. Priortothisactivity,makesurethattheteamhasdevelopedproto-personasorisfamiliarwithanypersonasdevelopedfortheprojectkeyusecaseshavebeenidentified.
2. Assignapersonaandusecasetoeachgroup.Youcanselectthesameordifferentcombinationsforeachgroupdependingonyourneeds.
3. Provideeachteamwithanempathymaptemplateorhavethemconstructoneaselpadpaper(seeimage).
4. Giveeachteam20-25minutestocapturewhattheirpersonaissensing(seeing/hearing/etc.),thinking,feeling,anddoingwhentheyencountertheassignedusecase.Eachitemcapturedshouldbewrittenonapostitandplacedintheappropriatesectionofthetemplate.
EmpathyMappingSYNTHESIZE
61
MATERIALS
Whiteboard(orbutcher/flipchartpaper)
PostIts(3colors)
Markers
PAIRSWELLWITH
Followupwithcurrentstate-journeymapping.
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Dependingonthenumberofpersonasandusecases/scenariosthatyouneedtocover,distributingdifferentcombinationsacrosstheteamsinyourworkshopcanbeagoodwaytocovermoreground.
WHYWEUSEITDesigningforexperiencesrequiresteamstothinkabouthowpeoplethink,feelandperceivespecificsituations.Bythinkingthroughhowasituationaffectsanindividual,teamscanbetterunderstandtheirbehaviorastheyworkthroughittowardstheirgoal.
DesigntheMagazineCoverSYNTHESIZE
64
USETO
Envisionkeycharacteristics,features,andoutcomesof
thefutureproductorservicetheprojectwillcreate.
PARTICIPANTS
Teamsofupto6people.
TIME
30-40minutes
HOWTODOIT
1. Provideeachteamwithoneormoresheetsofeaselpadpaper.
2. Instructeachteamtoimaginethatamagazineisrunningaspecialissueallabouttheirfutureproduct/service/organization.Thesheetofpaperrepresentsthecoveroftheissue.Theirjobistodeterminethecontentsofthatcoverin20minutes.Theircontentsshouldincludethefollowing:
• FeatureStory:Thebigthingpeoplewillbetalkingaboutrelatedtotheproduct/service/organization
• KeyHeadlines:Otherstoriesthatreinforceorexploreotheranglestothefeaturestory.
• Quotes:thingspeople,oftencustomers,butcanbeanyone,willsayaboutthefuturecreation.
• Ideasforimages:imagesreflectiveonthenewfuturestatethecreationwillbringabout.
• Sidebars:Smallerstoriesthatrevealinterestingfacetsofthefeaturestory.(oftenpersonalexperiences)
3. Asthefacilitator,remindteamsastheyworkthatthisisamagazinecover.Imagineitsittingontherack,tryingtograbpeople’sattention.
DesigntheMagazineCoverSYNTHESIZE
65
USETO
Envisionkeycharacteristics,features,andoutcomesof
thefutureproductorservicetheprojectwillcreate.
PARTICIPANTS
Teamsofupto6people.
TIME
30-40minutes
HOWTODOIT
4. Haveeachteampresenttheirmagazinecoversanddescribewhytheymadetheselectionstheydid.
5. Asagroupidentifyandcaptureanysignificantsimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenthedifferentteam’smagazinecovers.Anddiscusswhetherthesesimilaritiesordifferencesareindicativeofcharacteristics(principles)ofthefuturecreation,usecases/features,personas,orotherelements.
DesigntheMagazineCoverSYNTHESIZE
66
MATERIALS
EaselPads
Markers(variouscolors)
PAIRSWELLWITH
Future-statejourneyorscenariomappingaswellas
activitiestoexplore/refineprinciples.
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Ablankpagecanbeintimidating.Itcanbeusefultopreparetemplatesaheadoftimefortheteams.
2. Givetheteamsadditionalpapertobrainstormandcaptureideasbeforeputtingtogethertheirfinalcover.
WHYWEUSEIT
Thisactivitypushesteamstothinkfromanoutside-inperspectiveabouthowtheworldwillperceivewhattheycreate,whatwillbethemostvaluableaspectsoftheircreationandhowmightthatvaluebeseen/experienced.Thisactivitycanbeusedtobegintosurfacekeyprinciplesorfeatures/usecasesorfurtherexploreprinciplesandusecasesthathavealreadybeennotedbythegroup.
OtherCommonActivitiesforSynthesisJourneyMapping(Current&FutureState)Mappingtheflowofanendtoenduserjourneyacrosschannelsandtouchpointstoidentifyopportunitiesandchallenges(currentstate)orobjectives(futurestate)
ScenarioMappingMappingtheideal(future)sequenceofthoughts,emotions,andinteractionsauserwillhavewithaproductorserviceforaspecificusecase.
Goal&PrincipleSettingIdentifyinggoalsandprinciplesfortheproduct/service/organization.Oftenthroughacombinationofresearch,free-listing,affinitymappingandprioritization/voting.
AffinityMapping(KJTechnique)Identifyingcommonperspectiveswithinagroupforagiventopicbyarranginganswersinproximitytooneanotherbasedonhowsimilartheyare.
SYNTHESIZE
67
MAKINGITWORK
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
70
Workshopsaremadeof
PEOPLE!
Don’tjustthrowpeopletogether.• Workshopscanbedonewithanygroup.Thinkaboutyourobjectivesforthe
workshopandtheirimplicationsforwhoyoushouldinvite.Inmanycasesyou’llwanttogoforcross-functionalrepresentation.
• Don’tforgettoincludestakeholders.
• Understandtheroles,needs,andinfluenceofparticipants(i.e.whoneedstosignoffandwhoistheremoreforawareness).
• Thoughinaworkshop,youshouldtreateveryoneasequals,it’susefultoknowwhoyourgatekeepersare.
• Tothedegreeyoucan,getasenseforindividuals’personalitiespriortotheworkshop.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
72
TheMakingsofGreatTeams
Howyouputpeopletogethermakesallthedifference.• Teamsareaneffectivewayofmakingworkshopswithlargenumbersofpeople
work.
• Theycanalsobeusefultoolsforexploringvariousperspectives.
• Trytokeepthemtonomorethan6peopleperteam.
• Mostofthetime,teamsshouldbecross-functional.
• Thinkaboutthepersonalitiesofpeopleineachteamandtrytoavoidbadcombinations.
• Eachteamwillneedafacilitator.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
74
RolesOwnerResponsibleforplanningtheworkshopanddefiningit’ssuccesscriteria.DuringtheworkshopLeadersoftentaketheparticipantrole.
MasterFacilitatorResponsibleforhelpingtoplantheworkshop,guidingallparticipantsthroughtheworkshopagenda,providingactivityinstructions,andfacilitatingdiscussions.
TeamFacilitatorsResponsibleformakingsuretheirgroupcarriesoutactivitiesasdirected.Also,toobservediscussionsandtakenotesasapplicable.Mayparticipateinactivitiesdependingonsetup.
RecorderResponsiblefortakingpublicnotesofimportantpoints,questions,to-dos,parkinglotitems,etc.
ParticipantResponsibleforcontributingandparticipatinginallactivitiesanddiscussions.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
75
Herdingcats…
Facilitationisaboutestablishingboundariesandkeepingtheworkshopwithinthemsothatitreachesit’sobjective.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
77
START FINISH
Without(enough)bindingandguidance,thingscangoanywhereandpossiblyneverreachtheobjectivesneeded.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
78
START FINISH
Toomuchbindingandguidancecancausetheworkshoptofeelconstrictingandforced.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
79
START FINISH
Goodfacilitation(andplanning)directstheworkshoptowardsit’sobjectiveswhilekeepingitfeelingopen.
Remember:Facilitationisaskill.Ittakespractice.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
80
START FINISH
FacilitatingActivities&Discussions• Silencecanbebothgoodandbad.Beonthelookoutforit.
• Beatimecop,butalsogivepeopletimetofinishtheirthoughtsorreachagreement.Don’tbeafraidtoletthemgoonlongorcutthemoffifnecessary.Knowwhentoholdboundariesandwhentoletthemslide.
• Bepreparedtoadjustyouragendaonthefly.Alwaysknowwhereyouare.Makecalculateddecisionsonhowtoproceed.
• Watchoutforgroupthinkanddesign-by-committee.Useframingtools,outputfromprioractivates,research,etc.tosteerbacktowhatmatters.
• Facilitatorsshouldbeunbiased
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
81
FacilitatingActivities&Discussions• Summarizearguments,conclusions,etc.
• Lookforunderstanding.Checktomakesureeveryoneunderstandswhatisbeingtalkedabout.
• Lookforemotionsinparticipants.
• Asklotsofquestions.Playdumb.“Why?”isyourweaponofchoice.
• Betransparent.Letpeopleknowwhyyou’redoingthings.
• Useaparkinglot.Itsoundslame,butitworkssolongasyoufollowthroughwithit.
• Asyoumovethroughactivitiesrecapandreferbacktoobservationsandconclusionsfrompreviousones.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
82
Yes.Youwillhavetodealwithdifficultpeople.
Recognizing“Difficult”People• Sometimeit’sprettyobvious.
• Signalscaninclude:
• Dominatingconversations.Talkingoverpeople.Ignoringwhatothersaresaying.
• NotParticipating.Beingclosedofbothverballyandphysically.
• Notstayinginscope.Introducingtopicsandquestionsoutsidetheboundsoftheworkshop.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
84
Handling“Difficult”People• Rememberthatsomeone’sdifficultnatureisn’talwaysareflectionoftheirevilplans
forworlddomination.
• Useopenendedquestionstoworkatfindingtherootoftheirconcerns,misunderstandings,etc.
• Likemostthingsinfacilitation,formsofthequestion,“why?”areyourbestfriendshere.
• Workwiththemtorelatepointsbacktoanypreviousactivityoutput,objectives,problemframing,etc.
• Useyourparkinglot.
• Calltime-out,regroup,andadjustifnecessary.
TEAMS,ROLES,&FACILITATION
85
GENERATE
88
GENERATE
89
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE GENERATE REFINE
Initial Insight Plan Release
EVALUATE
GenerateGeneratealargenumberofideasfor“solutions”(products,services,etc.)forachievingthedesiredobjectives.
TheDesignThinkingProcess
BadIdeasGENERATE
90
USETO
Explorewhat“shouldn’t”bedoneinordertobetter
understandthecontextsofatopicandpotentialreal
solutions.
PARTICIPANTS
2ormorepeople.
TIME
30– 40minutes
HOWTODOIT
1. Priortotheworkshoporactivity,selectachallenge/topicyou’dlikeparticipantstogeneratesolutionsfor.
2. Assembleparticipantsintoteams,provideeachteamwithmarkersandaneaselpad/paper.
3. Presentthechallengetotheteam,andaskeachteamtoworkatcreating(sketching)theworstsolutionpossibleoverthecourseofthenext10minutes.
4. Setyourtimerfor10minutesandhavetheteamsbegin.
5. When10minutesareup,haveeachteamswaptheirsolutionwithanother.
6. Eachteamthenhas10minutestoimagineandwrite/sketchthecircumstancesinwhichthe“bad”solutionwouldbeagoodone.
7. Whentimeelapses,haveeachteampresentthebadideatheyweregivenandthereframedcircumstancestheycameupwiththatwouldmakeitagoodidea.Allowfor3-5minutesforeachteam.
Let’s Have lunch at McDonalds!
BadIdeasGENERATE
91
MATERIALS
Paper
Markers
Tape
PAIRSWELLWITH
Followupwithadditionalbrainstormingsuchas6-8-5,
DesignStudio,orLensBrainstorming.
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Thisactivityworksbestforbroaderconceptualchallenges(ex:Howmightwemaketheexperienceofforeclosurelessstressful)than“detaildesign”questions(ex:howshouldourapplicationformwork).
WHYWEUSEIT
Weoftenmisunderstand“bad”asbeingtheoppositeforgood,andinoursearchforgoodideasweunconsciouslycutourselvesofffromawholesetofsolutions.
Byexaminingwhatbadideasmightlooklike,andsubsequentlylookingatsituationinwhichtheybecomegood,webothexpandourcreativitybybreakingdownouraversionto“bad”aswellaspotentiallysurfaceideaswewouldn’totherwiseconsider.
Let’s Have lunch at McDonalds!
LensBrainstormGENERATE
93
How might we…
make saving for college
more rewarding?
USETO
Generateideasforsolutionstoaproblemspacethat
satisfyaspecificsetofcharacteristics.
PARTICIPANTS
3 ormorepeople.
TIME
10minutesforinitialcollection.
3-5minutesperpersonforpresentation.
HOWTODOIT
1. Selectachallenge/problemspaceandsetof3-5adjectivesthatdescribetheexperiencethegroupwouldliketheirfuturecreationtoelicit.
2. Instructparticipantsthattheywillbebrainstormingsolutionsforthechallengeinaccordancewiththeselectedadjectives.
3. Youwillprovidethepromptintheformof“Howmightwe[challenge]more[adjective]?Example:Howmightwemakesavingforcollegemorerewarding?
4. Letparticipantsknowthattheywillhave90secondsperadjectiveandwillwritedownoneideaperpostit.
5. Beginthebrainstormwiththepromptforthefirstadjective.After90seconds,repeatthepromptusingthenextadjective.Repeatuntilyouhavegonethroughalloftheselectedadjectives.
6. Haveeachparticipantsharetheirideaswiththerestofthegroup,postingthemtothewallastheygo.
LensBrainstormGENERATE
94
MATERIALS
PostIts
Markers
PAIRSWELLWITH
Oftenfollowedbyaffinitymappingtoidentifycommon
ideasandoutliers(whicharen’tnecessarilybadideas)
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Theadjectivesyouusecanbeanything(thereisanoriginalsetbasedontheactivitiesoriginsingamedesign).Onegoodsourceofadjectivesaretheeffortsdesignprinciplesifanyhavebeenestablished.
WHYWEUSEIT
Alensbrainstorm(oftenpairedwithaffinitymapping)canactasagoodcatalystforamoredetaileddesignbrainstormsuchasaDesignStudio.
How might we…
make saving for college
more rewarding?
6-8-5GENERATE
95
USETO
Generatealargenumberofideasoranswerstoagiven
challengeorquestions.
PARTICIPANTS
2ormorepeople.
TIME
25– 35minutesperround
HOWTODOIT
1. Priortotheworkshoporactivity,selectachallenge/topicyou’dlikeparticipantstogeneratesolutionsfor.
2. Provideparticipantswithpaperfolded(ordivided)into2x2or2x3grids.
3. Instructparticipantsthattheirtaskwillbeto–workingindividually– sketchtheirideasfortheproposedtopicusingtheprovidedpaperwithoneidea/division.Theywillhave5minutestosketchasmanyideasastheycanwiththegoalofcomingupto6-8.
4. Setyourtimerfor5minutesandhavetheparticipantsbeginsketching.
5. When5minuteshaveelapsed,provideeachparticipantwith3-5minutestopresentanddiscusstheirideaswiththewholegroup(orteamifyourworkshopisbrokenintomultipleteams)
6. Repeattheprocessasyouseefittocollectmoreideas,coachingparticipantstotrytogeneratenewideasbasedonwhatthey’veseeninthepreviousrounds.
6-8-5GENERATE
96
MATERIALS
Paper
Markers
Tape
PAIRSWELLWITH
Critique(seeDesignStudio)andvotingbasedactivities
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Inordertomaintaindivergence,focusquestionsanddiscussiononclarificationandexplanationratherthananalysis.
WHYWEUSEIT
Usefulforgivingparticipantsanopportunitytoexpresshowtheythinkaproductorservicemightlook/work.Likeotherdivergentthinkingactivities,thisactivityalsopushesparticipantsbeyondtheirinitialidea,whichtypicallyarenotthe“best”ideastoemerge.
Alsousefulasanalternativewhenthetimeavailabledoesn’tworkforalargerDesignStudioactivity.
OtherCommonActivitiesforGenerationBrainWriting“Silent”brainstorming,inwhichparticipantsaddtheirideastolistsofideasgeneratedbyotherparticipantsusingthoselistsasinspiration.
Whatif?Avariationforusewithotherbrainstormingactivitieswherethefacilitatorselectivelyaddsorremovesaconstrainttotheproblemspace.
SYNTHESIZE
97
REFINE
108
REFINE
109
DISCOVER SYNTHESIZE GENERATE REFINE
Initial Insight Plan Release
EVALUATE
RefineIterate,combine,andeliminatesolutionsbasedonanalysisandappropriatevariableswhileincreasingfidelityuntilone(orasmallnumber)ofsolutionsaredetermined.
TheDesignThinkingProcess
AffinityMappingREFINE
110
USETO
Allowteamstofindsharedideasaswellasoutliers.
PARTICIPANTS
2ormorepeople.
TIME
1-3hoursdependingonthenumberofparticipants
HOWTODOIT
1. Beginwithalargepoolofrelateditemspostedtoawall.Forexample,theoutputofaLensBrainstormorFreeListingexercise.
2. Instructthegrouptomoveitemstoanotherwall(oraspacefarenoughonthecurrentwall)arrangingthemingroupsaccordingtohowsimilartheyaretoform“clusters”ofsimilaritems.
• Participantsworkindividually,simultaneously,andshouldn’tdiscussastheywork.
• Theycanmoveitemsintogroupscreatedbyothersorrearrangegroupsthatdon’tmakesensetothem.
3. Onceallitemshavebeenmovedtothenewwallorspaceandanyrearrangementseemstohavediminished,endthisphaseoftheactivity.
4. Next,workwiththegrouptoassignanametoeachcluster.Reviewthecontentsoftheclusterwiththegroupandallowthemtosuggestnames.Ifthegroupagreesthataclusterrepresentsmorethanonetheme,breakitapart.
AffinityMappingREFINE
111
USETO
Allowteamstofindsharedideasaswellasoutliers.
PARTICIPANTS
2ormorepeople.
TIME
1-3hoursdependingonthenumberofparticipants
HOWTODOIT
5. Reviewthegroupsandthepotentialgroupnameswiththeparticipants.Haveparticipantsselectapreferredgrouplabel(Youmayuseasimpleshow-of-handsvoteifnecessary).
AffinityMappingREFINE
112
MATERIALS
Postits
Markers
PAIRSWELLWITH
PrecededbyFreeListingorotherbrainstorming
activities.Followedbyvotingactivities.
WHYWEUSEIT
Understandingsimilaritiesandoutlierscanbehelpfulfordiscussionsofpriority,aswellastoidentifyoutlierideasthatcan,attimes,holdinterestingsolutionsthatareotherwiseoverlooked.
DotVotingREFINE
114
USETO
Determinerelativepriorityorinterestinconcepts
basedonparticipantselection
PARTICIPANTS
3ormorepeople.
TIME
10– 15minutes
HOWTODOIT
1. Determineatotalnumberofvoteseachparticipantwillbegiven.3and5arecommonchoices.
2. Beginwithapoolofoptionsfortheteamtoselectfrom.Reviewthemwiththeparticipantsandallowparticipantstoaskclarifyingquestionsasneeded.relateditemspostedtoawall.Forexample,theoutputofaLensBrainstormorFreeListingexercise.
3. Instructparticipantstoselecttheideastheybelievearemostimportant(ormostworthpursuing,etc.)andnoteplacedotsnexttothem.Iftheythinkanideaisparticularlyimportant,theymayvotemorethanonce.
4. Participantswillplacetheirvotessimultaneously.
5. Tallythevotesandarrangetheitemsaccordingtomosttoleastvotes.Discusstheresultingarrangementwiththegroup.Arethereanysurprises?
DotVotingREFINE
115
MATERIALS
DotStickers
PAIRSWELLWITH
Precedewithcritiqueinordertohelpmakesurevoting
considersrelativevalueofideas..
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Therearemanyvariationsonthisactivity,includingblindvotingantthe$100test.
2. Sometimes,participantswillchangetheirvotesduringvotingbasedonwheretheyseeothersplacingtheirvotes.Ifconcernedaboutthis,analternativeistohaveallparticipantswritetheirvotesdownonapieceofpaperandthengivethatpapertoanotherparticipantwhowillcasttheirvotes.
WHYWEUSEIT
Whileitmightseemoverlysimple,thisactivityisaquickandsimplewaytoseewhereagroup’srelativeinterestslieandcanbeusefulinselectingprioritiesanddirectingfutureconversations.
DesignStudioREFINE
119
USETO
Generatealargenumberofideasandthenbuild
consensusaroundthemostvaluablethroughiteration
andconsolidation.
PARTICIPANTS
2ormorepeople.
TIME
1-3hoursdependingonthenumberofparticipants
HOWTODOIT
1. Priortotheworkshoporactivity,selectachallenge/topicyou’dlikeparticipantstogeneratesolutionsfor,typicallyascenarioforuseofyourproductorservice.
2. Ifneeded,arrangeparticipantsinteamsofupto6people.
3. Provideparticipantswithpaperfolded(ordivided)into2x2or2x3grids.
4. Instructparticipantsthattheirtaskwillbeto–workingindividually– sketchasmanyideasaspossiblefortheirsolutionin8minutes.
5. Attheendof8minutes,giveeachparticipant3-5minutestohaveeachteammemberpresentandcritiquetheirideaswiththeirteammates.
6. Onceallparticipantshavepresentedandreceivedcritique,haveeachparticipantsketchoneideaforasolutionbasednowontheirpreviousideas,theideasoftheirteammates,thecritiquestheyheard,andanynewideasthatmayhavepoppedintotheirhead.Again,participantswillusethedividedpaperandhave8minutestosketch.
7. Again,oncetimeisup,giveeachparticipant3-5minutestohaveeachteammemberpresentandcritiquetheirideaswiththeirteammates.
8. Thistime,participantswilltheirsolutionstotheirteammatesquicklyandthencritiquethemwiththeParticipantsmayusethedividedpaperastheywish.
9. theirideasfortheproposedtopicusingtheprovidedpaperwithone
DesignStudioREFINE
120
USETO
Generatealargenumberofideasandthenbuild
consensusaroundthemostvaluablethroughiteration
andconsolidation.
PARTICIPANTS
2ormorepeople.
TIME
1-3hoursdependingonthenumberofparticipants
HOWTODOIT
9. Onceeachteammemberhaspresentedandreceivedcritique,instructeachteamthattheywillnowbegiven20minutestoworktogethertosketchasinglesolutionbasedonalloftheideasandcritiquesthey’vehearupuntilnow,usingwhole(undivided)sheetsofpaper.
10.Attheendof20minutes,giveeachteam5-8minutestopresenttheirsolutiontotheothersandreceivecritique.
11.Closewithadiscussionofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweentheconceptstheteamscameupwith.
DesignStudioREFINE
121
MATERIALS
Paper
Markers
Tape
PAIRSWELLWITH
Followupwithprototyping.
TIPS&CONSIDERATIONS
1. Dependingonthescopeoftheproject/workshop,youmayfinditusefultoassigndifferentteamsdifferentpersona/scenariocombinations.Howeverthiseliminatesyourabilitytocomparehowdifferentteamsevolvesolutionsforthesamecontexts.
WHYWEUSEIT
DesignStudioworkswelltoprovideteamswithanoutlettosharetheirideasfordetaileddesignsandinteractionsaswellasfindandbuildconsensusinafinaldirectionbasedonvalueratherthanpersonalpreference.
OtherCommonActivitiesforRefinementCritiqueCriticalThinkingbaseddiscussionofanideatoanalyzeitagainstitsobjectivesanddeterminewhichaspectdoordonotworktowardsthemandwhy.
PrototypingCreatingarepresentationofthecreationthatcanbeinteractedwithbyusersinordertounderstanditseffectontheirexperience.
REFINE
122
3KindsofFeedbackREFINE
Reaction
Direction
Critique
Goodlord!That’sawful!Aninebriatedcockerspanielcouldhavedonebetter!
Youshouldhavemadeallofthoseradiobuttonsadropdown[,because…]
Iftheobjectiveisforuserstoconsidertheimpacttotheirbankbalancebeforemakingapurchase,placingthebalanceatthebottomofthescreenatthesamesizeasalltheothernumbersisn’teffectivebecauseitgetslostinalloftheotherinformation.
123
TheCritiqueFrameworkREFINE
Whatisanobjectiveofthedesign?
Whichelementsoraspectsofthedesignarerelevanttotheobjective?
Arethoseelementseffectiveinachievingtheobjective?
Whyorwhynot?
124
TheCritiqueFrameworkREFINE
Whatisanobjectiveofthedesign?Iftheobjectiveisforuserstoconsidertheimpacttotheirbankbalancebeforemakingapurchase…
Whichelementsoraspectsofthedesignarerelevanttotheobjective?
Arethoseelementseffectiveinachievingtheobjective?
Whyorwhynot?
125
TheCritiqueFrameworkREFINE
Whatisanobjectiveofthedesign?Iftheobjectiveisforuserstoconsidertheimpacttotheirbankbalancebeforemakingapurchase…
Whichelementsoraspectsofthedesignarerelevanttotheobjective?…placingthebalanceatthebottomofthescreenat
thesamesizeasalltheothernumbers…
Arethoseelementseffectiveinachievingtheobjective?
Whyorwhynot?
126
TheCritiqueFrameworkREFINE
Whatisanobjectiveofthedesign?Iftheobjectiveisforuserstoconsidertheimpacttotheirbankbalancebeforemakingapurchase…
Whichelementsoraspectsofthedesignarerelevanttotheobjective?…placingthebalanceatthebottomofthescreenat
thesamesizeasalltheothernumbers…
Arethoseelementseffectiveinachievingtheobjective?…isn’teffective…
Whyorwhynot?
127
TheCritiqueFrameworkREFINE
Whatisanobjectiveofthedesign?Iftheobjectiveisforuserstoconsidertheimpacttotheirbankbalancebeforemakingapurchase…
Whichelementsoraspectsofthedesignarerelevanttotheobjective?…placingthebalanceatthebottomofthescreenat
thesamesizeasalltheothernumbers…
Arethoseelementseffectiveinachievingtheobjective?…isn’teffective…
Whyorwhynot?…becauseitgetslostinalloftheotherinformation.
128
MAKINGITWORK
LOGISTICS&LITTLETHINGS
129
Materials• Gathertheappropriatematerialsbasedonyourselectedactivities.Alwaysbring
extra.
CommonMaterials• PostIts(VariousColors&Sizes)• Markers(VariousColors)• BlankPaper• EaselPads• Tape(weusepainterstape)• IndexCards• DotStickers• ATimer
• Printoutscanbeuseful.Thinkaboutanythingthatparticipantsmightneedforreference.
LOGISTICS
130
SometimesUseful• PipeCleaners• Block/Bricks• Foam• Scissors• VideoCamera
Space• Makesurethespaceislargeenough.Itcangetloudwhengroupsareworkingand
discussing.Youneedenoughspaceforeachteamtonotfeelcrowdedandforpeopletobeabletomovearoundfreely.
• Sometimesbreakoutroomscanbeuseful,buttheycanalsocomplicateoverallfacilitationandtransportingofthingsbackandforth.
• Plentyofwallspaceforpostingideasandnotes(andtheblessingoffacilitiestodoso)
• Goodlighting,includingdaylight
• Whiteboard
LOGISTICS
131
SetupLOGISTICS
132
This! NotThis. OrThis.
BackToAgendas• Makesureyouincorporatebreaks.Tryfor15-20minutebreaksevery90-120
minutes.
• Lunchshouldbenolessthan45minutes.Trytoavoid“workinglunches.”
• Providesnacks(andlunchifpossible).Notjustcaffeineandsugarthough.
• Don’tstartbefore9anddon’tendafter5.9:30-4:30isgood.
• Neverplantostartontime.
LOGISTICS
133
WRAPPINGUP
140
Herelieourbestintentions….
Weoftenlookbackwardsandwishwe’ddonethingsdifferently.
Whatifwelookedaheadandtriedtopredictwhatmightgowrongsowecanbeprepared.
WRAPPINGUP
142
PremortemWRAPPINGUP
143
USETO
Helpteamsprepareforpredictableobstaclestotheir
success.
TIME
20– 25minutes
HOWTODOIT
1. Askthegrouptosharetheirconcernsandideasaboutthethingsthatwillpreventtheprojectandtheireffortsfromsucceeding.Capturetheseitemsonawhiteboardasyougo.
2. Afterabout10minutes,switchtodiscussingwhatwillbeneededtopreventtheobstaclesfromoccurringortoavoidtheirderailmentoftheproject.
3. Capturethesecommentsalongsidetheirproblemstheyaddress.surprises?
How WILL OUR EFFORTS FAIL?
ClosingOutTheWorkshop• Reviewtheinsightsthatemergedoverthecourseoftheworkshop:patterns,
outliers,assumptions,agreements,etc.
• Don’texpectworkshopstoproduceTHEanswer.Insteadtheyaremorelikeresearch,theypointyouinthedirectionoftheanswer(s).
• Sharenextstepsandassignresponsibilityifnecessary(thereareactivitiesthatcanhelpwiththisaswell).ThekeytoasuccessfulworkshopisMOMENTUM.
• And…THANKEVERYONE!
LOGISTICS
145