Hosting an Ideation Workshop

Looking for inspiration on ideation? Feel free to start with the example structure the Co-Creating Well-Being team has shared here (and in the webinar below). Other methods and examples of ideation activities are available from Design Kit, Essential Ideation Skills, and Aging By Design.

 
 

Before the Workshop

  • Send out invites to children, family and caregivers who may be interested in co-designing ideas. Ensure clarity of session purpose

  • Send out appropriate session materials in advance (e.g., link to Insights Report)

  • Choose a session leader and ensure that they feel confident to facilitate the session

Ideate
 

During the Workshop

  • Distribute printed copies of the Personas. 

  • Ask participants to discuss in groups of 3 - 4:

    • Do these Personas remind you of anyone you know?

      • What resonates? What is missing?

  • Write out your prompt question:

    • HMW improve services for children, families, and caregivers which address toxic stress, trauma, and well-being?

  • To begin defining a problem to work on, use the HMW questions as a base. Review in groups of 3 - 4 and ask “What is missing?”

  • Start solo. Ask each person to take 3 - 5 minutes to individually write down their ideas in response to the prompt question

  • In groups of 3 - 4 people, share your ideas. Combine and extend

  • Cluster ideas “like with like” into columns 

  • Name the clusters: Try giving the cluster a meaningful name and draw a frame on the sticky note to signify that it is a title

  • Participants Dot vote for their favorite ideas. Distribute 3 dots to each participant to vote for their favorite cluster. Participants can “power vote” if they feel that an idea is really important or spread out the dots. 

  • End with a group reflection and take notes:

    • What did we do today?

    • What was a high point/low point?

    • Did you have any learnings or “aha” moments?

    • What is a takeaway from today that you want to carry forward?

 
 

After the Workshop

  • Take a photo of clustered sticky note

  • Send a follow-up email to participants with photo and notes from the reflection as well as next steps

 
 

Workshop Materials

  • 3x3 sticky notes

  • Sharpies

  • Printed copies of Personas for each group

  • Printed copies of HMW questions for each group

  • Participant sign-in list (if they wish to receive follow-up communication)

  • Flip chart paper 

  • Dot stickers for voting (can also use Sharpies)

  • Computer or notebook to take notes during the reflection

 
 

Ideation Webinar

The Ideation Webinar will help you and your clients put the findings of the Insights Report into action. The webinar includes suggested ideation activities and information on how to run an ideation workshop.