1. Challenge

I am a member of a political party here in Brazil called NOVO. NOVO is the only

truly liberal party around here, and we have just been recognized as a formal  organization. We are working towards achieving a larger share of mind around my city,  Curitiba, and developed an event called “NOVO Na Rua”, or “NOVO on the streets”,  where we would gather our members in a public square in order to talk to people about  our beliefs, projects and values.  We have a severe financial restriction now, and on the  other hand we can count on lots of people to help. The challenge was to make the best  event we could, using few or no financial resources. We didn’t have a time schedule  restriction, neither any external risks.

2. Selection

This event was developed by a multidisciplinary team, consisting of lawyers,

business managers, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers and others, that were in  charge of the party, We iterated it a lot, and used mind mapping lots of times, not only  as part of the transition of what is to what if. I was one of the developers, and I have  always used mind-mapping in a daily basis. From grocery lists to strategic planning, I  always felt that mind mapping was a really good source of creativity, problem solving  and design thinking.

3. Application

We gathered a group of circa 20 people. Then, two leaders stood up and stated

the “what is” scenario: no money to spend, no resources to count on, just really  passionate people around a good and cause, wanting to make Brazil a better place to  live. All of the people gathered had knowledge on different areas, different life  experiences, and this was our most valuable asset. To take advantage of all this  wisdom, we provoked people to ask themselves: “what if we had no restrictions?” “what  if anything was possible”? The result of this reflexive-written-mini-brainstorming was  jaw dropping. We managed to come up with excellent ideas in only 15 minutes, due to  the different academic and life background experiences. We gathered all those ideas,  divided the members in 4 groups of 5, and gave them 15 minutes to discuss the ideas,  and turn them into design criteria. Again, it was awesome how great ideas turned into  awesome clusters of ideas with a single-phrase heading that could resume it.

To finish this mind-mapping session, we asked our members to answer to the

question suggested by Samantha Silva: “If anything were possible, what criteria  would our new event meet?”

4. Insights

From using this method, we managed to succeed on stablishing a SMART

(Specific, Meaningful, Action oriented, Realistic and Timely) goal, of getting 200  registers for our mailing list (we managed to reach and then exceed this number by 50  in the event). In addition, we had several contributions from the members, which  disposed of tables, chairs, balloons, and many things that made a great event,  complimented by all of the participants.

In my opinion, the most important insight was to confirm that mind mapping

could be used in any phase of Design Thinking as an idea generator, a creativity  activator and a team builder. In spite of being used in the videos as a “what is” tool, we  used mind mapping to help us on “late-what is / early-what if”. I, personally, believe that  this tool can and should be used at any time in the Design Thinking Process.

5. Approach

Next time using mind mapping, I might try to use it along with brainstorming

techniques, such as the six hats of thinking. I believe that it gives a hollistical, systemic  panorama of the situation, and will contribute a lot with idea generation.


1 . Challenge I am a member of a political party here in Brazil called NOVO . NOVO is the only truly liberal party around here , and we have just been recognized as a formal organization . We are working towards achieving a larger share of mind around my city , Curitiba , and developed an event called “ NOVO Na Rua ” , or “ NOVO on the streets ” , where we would gather our members in a public square in order to talk to people about our beliefs , projects and values . We have a severe financial restriction now , and on the other hand we can count on lots of people to help . The challenge was to make the best event we could , using few or no financial resources . We did n’t have a time schedule restriction , neither any external risks . 2 . Selection This event was developed by a multidisciplinary team , consisting of lawyers , business managers , entrepreneurs , teachers , engineers and others , that were in charge of the party , We iterated it a lot , and used mind mapping lots of times , not only as part of the transition of what is to what if . I was one of the developers , and I have always used mind - mapping in a daily basis . From grocery lists to strategic planning , I always felt that mind mapping was a really good source of creativity , problem solving and design thinking . 3 . Application We gathered a group of circa 20 people . Then , two leaders stood up and stated the “ what is ” scenario : no money to spend , no resources to count on , just really passionate people around a good and cause , wanting to make Brazil a better place to live . All of the people gathered had knowledge on different areas , different life experiences , and this was our most valuable asset . To take advantage of all this wisdom , we provoked people to ask themselves : “ what if we had no restrictions ? ” “ what if anything was possible ” ? The result of this reflexive - written - mini - brainstorming was jaw dropping . We managed to come up with excellent ideas in only 15 minutes , due to the different academic and life background experiences . We gathered all those ideas , divided the members in 4 groups of 5 , and gave them 15 minutes to discuss the ideas , and turn them into design criteria . Again , it was awesome how great ideas turned into awesome clusters of ideas with a single - phrase heading that could resume it . To finish this mind - mapping session , we asked our members to answer to the question suggested by Samantha Silva : “ If anything were possible , what criteria would our new event meet ? ” 4 . Insights From using this method , we managed to succeed on stablishing a SMART ( Specific , Meaningful , Action oriented , Realistic and Timely ) goal , of getting 200 registers for our mailing list ( we managed to reach and then exceed this number by 50 in the event ) . In addition , we had several contributions from the members , which disposed of tables , chairs , balloons , and many things that made a great event , complimented by all of the participants . In my opinion , the most important insight was to confirm that mind mapping could be used in any phase of Design Thinking as an idea generator , a creativity activator and a team builder . In spite of being used in the videos as a “ what is ” tool , we used mind mapping to help us on “ late - what is / early - what if ” . I , personally , believe that this tool can and should be used at any time in the Design Thinking Process . 5 . Approach Next time using mind mapping , I might try to use it along with brainstorming techniques , such as the six hats of thinking . I believe that it gives a hollistical , systemic panorama of the situation , and will contribute a lot with idea generation .