Published on | Prototyping: From UX to Front End — Medium Anthony Coombes

I recently started coaching an under-10s football team. The group are a mixed bunch. A few strong characters with some more keen than others. Despite winning games things just weren’t right. The culture of the team wasn’t unified and it was holding the players back.

Kids are fearless, they want to learn and have fun. All the qualities needed for a successful design workshop. So, I applied a bit of design thinking. One of the first exercises we did was to split the kids into two groups. I didn’t tell them to choose between sharks or tigers. Instead they had to name their team, be creative, agree between themselves and take ownership.

It was a simple way for each group to bond. The quick exercise gave them all extra energy and purpose. Soon the ‘crazy gang’ were showing their crazy skills. And ‘the killers’ were keen to tackle the other team.

Design workshops can be a unique experience for businesses. It might be the first-time different departments and disciplines are in the same room. Everybody brings their own perspective and will want to mark ownership or influence the project before feeling invested.

It’s the job of the designer to facilitate rather than lead a workshop. Participants turn up sceptical, don’t know what to expect or how to participate and collaborate. It takes time to build trust in the process as well as between each other and share the ambition.

Collaboration is an essential part of design thinking. Success comes quicker when everyone is working together to join things up. Creating an environment to gather points of view and work through a series of steps to unify the group.

This unity may already exist within the brand, if not, it’s an opportunity to discuss what does unify things. Developing the right culture, define a purpose and get commitment from others.

What I’ve learnt from working with different groups is that there are a few steps to go through before people feel wholly unified.

Step 1: You need to know you’re on the same team. Everyone has a role and can bring value.

Step 2: You are comfortable sharing. Everyone should feel that they are able to ask for help and be heard.

Step 3: You can resolve conflicts. As a group you’re able to find a solution and get the best out of each other.

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How do you get a disparate group to co-create? was originally published in Prototypr on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How do you get a disparate group to co-create?

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