7 FU N DAME N TAL AC T I VI T I E S

FO R UX W O R K S H O P S

P OS T-U P

Goal 1 2
Generate a wide set of ideas that 1 pad of stickies Time-boxed
represent diverse perspectives in a per person individual
time-efficient, democratic manner generation

People 1
x
1-30 people 1

Timing
3 4
4
3-20 minute generation
5-20 minute review Post onto wall Review as a group

Tips
∙ Add time constraints
∙ Give participants quantity goals
∙ Explicitly choose anonymity
or accountability

AFFINITY
DIAGRA MM IN G
1
Goal Wide set of items
Discover patterns across a wide set of
ideas and promote a shared language
and understanding

People
1-20 people

Timing
Up to 1.5 hours 2
Group based on similarities and name themes

Tips
∙ Plan your theme-naming approach
(as a group or predetermined)
∙ Create an “ungrouped” group
∙ Try subclustering

L AN DS CA P E
M APPING
21
Goal Generate items
Understand how items or categories
relate to each other; identify
relationships, then create alignment
and insight across the different ideas

People
1-6 people

Timing
2
Up to 1.5 hours
Map into desired format

Tips
∙ Constrain time for each step
∙ Identify the goal and structure
ahead of time

S TORYBOAR DIN G

Goal 1 2
Expand a specific idea and add context Fold paper into Time-boxed
to it so that it’s better understood, desired format individual
communicated, and agreed upon; story creation
frame the experiences we create in
a holistic way

People
1-6 people
3
4 4
4
Timing Individuals draw the Review as a group
15-20 minute generation context for an idea
5-20 minute review

Tips
∙ Introduce constraints
∙ Remember, medium matters

F O RCED RAN KIN G

Goal 1 2
Identify the most important things to Determine number of Individual ranking
focus on; achieve objective, structured votes per person
consensus while satisfying the varied
needs of the user and business

x
People 1
1-30 people

3
4
Timing
5-10 minute vote Review as a group
5-20 minute review

Tips
∙ Give time before ranking
∙ Explicitly choose anonymity
or accountability

R OL E PL AY I N G

Goal 1
Deliberately challenge how Assign roles and scripts
participants naturally approach a
problem to help them develop new
thoughts and ideas

People
1-30 people

Timing 2
3-20 minute generation Act it out and identify new insights and ideas
5-20 minute review

Tips ∙ Expect discomfort

∙ Make it fun

P L AY BA CK

Goal A C
Converge insights across teams Small group playback Large, formal Playback
and stakeholders; ensure alignment
and shared language across the
whole workshop, not just within
workshop teams

People
3-20 people

Timing B
A 2-5 minute shares Workshop-wide playback
B 5-15 minute shares
C 30-60 minute shares

Tips ∙ Start small

∙ Vary formality

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