Having a great selection of participants and a well prepared workshop with enough space and material for spontaneous method adoptions
Best practice
Invite a group with different backgrounds to have a flexible idea generation
We recommend a group size of about 12-15 people for a workshop, nevertheless the described methods are also working in smaller groups and can be included into the daily work
Call the participants a week before to catch their first ideas regarding the workshop topic ("What is working well already?", "Where is room for improvement?")
Organize cookies, fruits, coffee, water and lunch for the breaks
It would be perfect to have the following set uo in the room:
Beamer
At least 5 flipcharts and 5 whiteboards incl. paper
Music and speaker
Moderation case with cards, pens, sticking dots, pins, tape
Place chairs in a circle without tables to get the full attention of the audience
Prepare an agenda and define the results you want to achieve
Methods
Input Mind Map
Prerequisites
Feedback from workshop participants
Process
Cluster the input of the participants about what is working well and where is room for improvement
Create a mind map on a flipchart
Material
Flipchart, pen
Workshop Introduction
Time
about 5% of total time
Goal
Commitment & Connection - Having a good and open minded spirit in the team knowing the creativity mindset and rules
Best practice
Getting to know each other
Introduction into the workshop including the objectives
Creativity is fun
Methods
Introduction via Name Tag
Prerequisites
if not everybody knows everyone (on/off teams)
Process
Each participant creates a name tag and introduces himself with name and department
Material
Paper, tape & pens
Rules for Creativity
Prerequisites
a practical exercise for creativity recommended
Process
Ask the participants about stumbling blocks and what is killing creativity
Collect the feedback on a flipchart and invert to behavior to avoid blocks
Name it Rules for Creativity
Ask the participants again regarding further Rules for Creativity
Add further input on the flipchart
Pin the flipchart at a good visible place and underline that this rules are valid for the workshop
Material
Flipchart, pen, tape
Problem Solving Process
Prerequisites
A practical exercise for creativity recommended
Process
Draw the Problem Solving Process
Point out the following aspects based on the experience of the exercise:
Idea generation split from evaluation
No borders are valid in the idea generation
Some switches in the order of the phases are possible, but no mixing of phases
Describe the time split (10%, 40%, 40%, 10%)
...
Material
Flipchart, pen
Idea Storage
Prerequisites
Prepare the idea storage chart at a visible position in the room
Process
Point out the rule: Ideas first – always
Introduce the idea storage flip chart
Every idea that comes to mind should be written down there – so it can’t be forgotten
Material
Flipcart, pen
Lencioni
Process
Introduce the Lencioni triangle to describe where a lack on results could be cased
Material
Flipchart, pen
Phase I
Analysis Phase Problem Description
Time
about 10% of total time
Goal
Aiming a common level of understanding of the ideation topic as basis for the ideation phase
Best practice
make the topic visual, tangible and fun, but keep it simple
restrictions coming from daily business are not valid – make restrictions visible, but do not accept them
Introduce creative questions and analytical questions
Methods
Leonardos’ 100 Questions
Prerequisites
Problem is known but the creative question needs to be sharpened
Process
Reformulating the start question
Write down 100 new reformulated questions in 60 minutes Not enough time? No worries - it’s scalable. Also 50 questions in 30 minutes is working great
This exercise will help you to understand the real problem. So stick to it, even when your head seems empty. You will come up with even greater ones – you will be surprised!
Differentiate between analytical and creative questions – indicate the different kinds of questions
Check whether further analysis based on the analytical questions is needed
Material
Paper, pen, time, silence
Problem Rephrasing
Prerequisites
Problem is known but not 100% clear; power of rephrasing shown in an exercise recommended
Hints
Cluster all reformulations to vivid how questions
Animate participants to reformulate, to cover as many aspects of the problem as possible
Process
One of the most important ideation techniques - Have a look on the problem from different angles
Rephrase the problem
Think about the problem headstand, enlargement and focusing on problem details
Write down the new formulations
Check where further analysis is needed
Choosing a Formulation
Number the reformulations
Every participant gets to choose 3 formulations individually
The Formulation with the most votes wins
Depending on the time available, you can work on more than one question
Selection Criteria
As specific as possible
As vivid as possible
Look for suprising reformulations
Material
Paper, pen
Ask the Expert
Prerequisites
Problem is clear
At least one acknowledged expert is among the team
Process
Define/present the problem
Ask the expert
Ask about restrictions, but don’t accept them
Visualize all comments from the expert
Material
Flipchart, Pen
Collect Aspects of the Problem
Prerequisites
Problem is clear
All participants are experts with different knowledge about the problem
Process
Define/present the problem
Collect comments and opinions
Visualize them
Evaluate them with dots (optional)
Material
Flipchart, pen
Define the Problem
Prerequisites
Problem is unclear
Process
Collect aspects of the problem on cards
Structure the material
Develop different phrasings
Evaluate and choose one phrasing
Start the ideation phase with the most important one
Rules
Only one aspect per card
Collect pros and cons on cards with different colour (if possible)
Write with marker
Have an editorial team for the structuring
Evaluate with dots
Material
Flipchart, pen
Phase II
Creative Phase Ideation
Time
about 40% of total time
Goal
Generate as many ideas as possible without evaluating them
Best practice
Talk about stumbling blocks and apply rules for creativity
Make restrictions visible, but do not accept them
Use the advantage of the team (synergetic effect)
Include mavericks
Have breaks to give the chance to read the ideas of others
Use methods like 6-3-5 Brainwriting (see below) to get started with idea creation
Methods
Patterns/The Dip – How our Brain is Working
Prerequisites
starting point of the ideation phase
Rules
Introduce that our brain has leaned to work most efficient over the years – patterns were created to have fast solutions in mind
Patterns hindering creativity –> we need to overcome them
Our mind tends to stop thinking when no further idea can be generated and a suitable option was found already. We need to overcome the dip, thats where the new an mindblowing ideas evolve.
Reformulating the Problem
Hints
Cluster all reformulations to vivid how questions
Animate participants to reformulate, to cover as many aspects of the problem as possible
Choosing a Formulation
Number the reformulations
Every participant gets to choose 3 formulations individually
The Formulation with the most votes wins
Depending on the time available, you can work on more than one question
Selection Criteria
As specific as possible
As vivid as possible
Look for suprising reformulations
Brainstorming
Rules
Quantity over quality
Don’t criticize (mimics, verbal)
Build on ideas of others
As specific as possible
Process
Group size: 4-8
Duration: 5-30 minutes
Visualize on flipchart
Use as tool
Vary your Idea
Maxi
Think big dimensions
Enlarge parts of it
Improve functionality
Multiply
Mini
Think small dimensions
Downsize parts of it
Restrict functions
Divide it
Midi
Different material
Different function
Adapt to circumstances
Combine
Use as an additive
Add different material
Embed in a bigger picture
Remodel
Put to pieces and use for different purpose
Take parts und use them in different context
Brainpool Atelier
Process
Set up flipcharts/metaplan walls with the creative questions (1 wall more than participants)
Each participant start in front of one wall and writes down the ideas
If he has no further ideas – walk around and build on the ideas of the others
Have a defined time frame (i.e. 30 minutes)
Material
Walls, flipcharts, pens
Morphological Box
Process
Define 5 criterias for the problem
Draw a table with the criteria as row labels
Think about ideas per critera and add the ideas in the columns
Choose the most promising ideas per line and combine them
