Also called: Reverse Brainstorm
Alternative plays: Figure Storming, Reverse Brainstorming
Follow-up plays: How Might We, SCAMPER
See also: Crazy Eights
Timing: Planning
Origin: Alex Osborn
Run time
45-60 minutes
Group size
3-10
Why: Ignite creativity and uncover unexpected solutions by exploring the reverse scenario
When: As you find traditional problem-solving methods unfruitful or when the team is stuck
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 2025 and is now undergoing rigorous testing.
Reserve your deck!Instructions for running this play
- Prepare a problem statement before the meeting and present it first thing to the group.
- Break large groups into smaller groups of three to four people
- Reverse the problem. The more extreme the opposite, the better.
Lower spam rate → Increase spam rate
Increase customer satisfaction → Increase customer dissatisfaction
Increase user sign in → Lower need to sign in - Give participants a Timebox of 15-20 minutes to generate and display ways to solve the anti-problem. Encourage high volume of ideas and fast responses.
- Let participants Playback their solutions,
- Discuss insights and discoveries.
Tips to perfect this play
Master and adapt the play to fit your context and needs.
Tip: Go for small problems
Bring a list of smaller problems and assign smaller Timeboxes to each. Aim for many solutions as fast as possible.
Tip: Best solutions comes after
The best solutions come after the workshop, when participants have time to think and reflect.
Tip: Use the momentum
If the exercise segues into a conversation about the real problem, you can use extra time to continue the conversation while it’s ignited.
Tip: Aha! moments
There might be unexpected Aha! moments as participants discover how they are currently applying a counter-productives solution to the real problem.
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 2025 and is now undergoing rigorous testing.
Reserve your deck!Related plays
- The Anti-Problem by Dave Gray
- Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers by Dave Gray
- The Anti-Problem by PD Methods
- NYT Product Discovery Activity Guide by Al Ming
