Here are some tips i’ve learned by facilitating workshops with corporates and governments. (Which will hopefully avoid you a sad face like I had)
1. Understand your environment
Corporates are not startups from silicon <insert area> and thats ok 👍🏻. They operate differently, have other policies, and habits, so don’t impose that style on them if they aren’t ready for it. (Actually maybe don’t ever impose it)
2. Understand the stakeholders
Know that each stakeholder and each team is different. Take the time to learn their language, their style and their objectives and how they interact with each other
3. Adapt your tools and frameworks
Don’t blindly copy things from a book or a framework or even from your last workshop, as what worked in one team may not work for the next.
4. Be mindful of their time
Not all teams and stakeholders are gonna make themselves available to sit with you for 5 days to build a prototype, and thats ok. (This is not something I’d do myself as there is more work than can really be done in 5 days, unless everyone is already an expert at their own product, and even then..)
5. Chunk the work down into smaller pieces
When I have a large project with many stakeholders, I design each activity to fit a normal meeting timeslot. I also break up teams so everyone can be included (they just may not all be in the same sessions)
6. Do plenty of work prior to starting
Get as much research and prep done beforehand so you have an idea of who the company and what really matters
Also try and get time with the stakeholders beforehand to explain things, clarify tools etc…
7. Coach the teams and let them learn
After a few sessions, I like to let some of the stakeholders co- facilitate, so they too can learn by doing
8. Remote works
There is alot of talk around going back to the office, but lets not forget that for focused sessions, that are well designed, remote tools like Miro work well, and you get to document as you go.
Test and iterate with feedback
After you are done, run sessions to know what went well and not so well. Do a self reflection as well and try the new lessons in the next session.
There are more lessons for sure, but hopefully this will help some teams embarking on co-creation projects.
What tips could you share to help others out?
#digitaltransformation #servicedesign #productinnovation #behavioralscience