Brainstorming is the basis of the day’s activities. There are a variety of formats this can take—from silent ideation to group brainstorm, but the key is to ensure a generative mindset, withholding for the moment any judgment or criticism. idea per sticky note. Have lots of sticky-notes During share out, begin to cluster ideas Why and markers at every table! around themes—move the post-its around so that similar ideas are grouped together. start by brainstorming about the “We’ll It’s important to remember is that user you chose in silence—it’s important BUILD ideation is about generating as many that you not compare notes at this point.” Within each cluster, do one more group ideas as possible—quantity over quality. ideation. Combine elements of ideas or It’s not about coming up with the does this person spend time? Who “Where build on each others’ ideas. It is perfect idea, it’s about making new do they trust? What would make them important that this be a generative process. connections, being inspired by each partic- ipate? What do they care about? Use other, and allowing the group to go How might you reach them?” the phrase, and…” to acknowledge beyond the obvious solutions. “Yes, are no bad ideas. Everything you “There others’ ideas and maintain a framework of come up with is valuable, as it can spark collaboration and accumulation of ideas. ideas for other people. Don’t worry about feasibility.” CHOOSE Decide which idea has the most potential How to do it SHARE and / or excitement among the group. Share ideas by question (i.e., what did people write SILENT BRAINSTORM This will be the idea you will start fleshing down for do they trust?”) “Who Have all participants generate as many out in the subsequent exercises. If your ideas as possible, in silence, for new ways group is having trouble reaching a consensus, to reach the persona they’ve selected. you can use the dot-voting exercise There are no bad ideas! Have each described earlier. participant write down (or draw) one CLUSTERING
Brainstorming is the basis of the day’s activities. There are a variety of formats this can take—from silent ideation to group brainstorm, but the key is to ensure a generative mindset, withholding for the moment any judgment or criticism. Why It’s important to remember is that ideation is about generating as many ideas as possible—quantity over quality. It’s not about coming up with the perfect idea, it’s about making new connections, being inspired by each other, and allowing the group to go beyond the obvious solutions. How to do it SILENT BRAINSTORM Have all participants generate as many ideas as possible, in silence, for new ways to reach the persona they’ve selected. There are no bad ideas! Have each participant write down (or draw) one idea per sticky note. Have lots of sticky-notes and markers at every table! “We’ll start by brainstorming about the user you chose in silence—it’s important that you not compare notes at this point.” “Where does this person spend time? Who do they trust? What would make them partic- ipate? What do they care about? How might you reach them?” “There are no bad ideas. Everything you come up with is valuable, as it can spark ideas for other people. Don’t worry about feasibility.” SHARE Share ideas by question (i.e., what did people write down for “Who do they trust?”) CLUSTERING During share out, begin to cluster ideas around themes—move the post-its around so that similar ideas are grouped together. BUILD Within each cluster, do one more group ideation. Combine elements of ideas or build on each others’ ideas. It is important that this be a generative process. Use the phrase, “Yes, and…” to acknowledge others’ ideas and maintain a framework of collaboration and accumulation of ideas. CHOOSE Decide which idea has the most potential and / or excitement among the group. This will be the idea you will start fleshing out in the subsequent exercises. If your group is having trouble reaching a consensus, you can use the dot-voting exercise described earlier.
census-solutions-workshop-toolkit1.docx