Also called: Brainwriting
Alternative plays: Crazy Eights, Design Charrette
Follow-up plays: How Might We
Timing: Execution
Origin: Vedros K.R.
Run time
30-45 minutes
Group size
3-10
Why: Foster collaborative idea development and encourage diverse input from all team members
When: Ideal for brainstorming new ideas or enhancing an existing concepts
This workshop exercise is part of the Workshop Patterns printed card deck.
A collection of workshop exercises that will help you ditch dull meetings and facilitate with confidence. It will help you master the design process and have more productive time with your team. The card deck will be ready for purchase in the end of 2023 and is now undergoing rigorous testing.
Reserve your deck!Instructions for running this play
- Frame the problem. Agree on the challenge or question you want to explore as a group. How Might We is a great way to frame the question.
- Distribute pen and paper to each participant, and ask them to fold a piece of paper into four parts. Let participants write the challenge at the top of the paper (in portrait).
- Ask participants to draw their idea in the top left box with enough detail that someone can understand it without explanation. Allot a Timebox of 5 to 10 minutes. Unconventional solutions are welcome.
- Instruct participants to pass each paper to the left.
- Ask participants to write the reason why the previous proposal will fail.
- Let each participant develop the idea further by drawing their version in the next section of the paper, resolving their critique.
- Repeat until all sections are completed.
- Dot Vote or Blind Vote to daecide on what ideas to further pursue.
Tips to perfect this play
Master and adapt the play to fit your context and needs.
Tip: Groups of 3-4
As the paper is divided into four parts, this exercise works well with groups or subgroups of 3-4.
Related plays
- Round-Robin Brainstorming by Mind Tools
- Round Robin by Charles Burdett
- Round Robin Free Template & Guide in 2 Steps by Concept Board
- Share and engage with the Design Sprint Community by LUMA Institute
- Round Robin by LUMA Institute