How To Run A Remote Design Thinking Workshop

Summary

Brittany Baring provides a detailed guide on conducting remote Design Thinking workshops, emphasizing the importance of preparation and structure. The process includes brainstorming, sketching, prototyping, and testing ideas, followed by a debrief session for feedback. Best practices like over-preparing, introducing tools ahead of time, maintaining a professional setup, and managing audio distractions are key to keeping participants engaged. The workshop should be concise to maintain energy, and a thoughtful follow-up email is recommended to wrap things up. Brittany offers helpful tips for facilitators, especially those new to remote workshops.

Takeaways

• 😀 Over-prepare for your workshop: Ensure every exercise, template, and activity is ready with buffer time included.
• 😀 Introduce tools ahead of time: Familiarize participants with platforms like Mural or Miro before the session to avoid technical hiccups.
• 😀 Keep workshops short: Limit remote workshops to a couple of hours to maintain energy and engagement.
• 😀 Make your environment professional: Set up a clean, well-lit space to help participants focus and feel more engaged.
• 😀 Encourage headsets for participants: Using headsets helps avoid distracting background noises and improves the audio experience.
• 😀 Use a simple prototype to communicate the idea: It doesn’t have to be beautiful or complete, just clear enough for testing and feedback.
• 😀 Debrief thoroughly: Make sure everyone understands the next steps, the timing for prototyping, and how to contribute to the bigger picture.
• 😀 Collect immediate feedback from participants: Ask for feedback during the workshop rather than after, to get more honest and timely responses.
• 😀 Follow up with a thank-you email: Send a thoughtful email with a summary of the workshop, possibly including screenshots of the session.
• 😀 Help participants understand the value of their contributions: Emphasize how their input contributes to the overall success of the project.
• 😀 Foster collaboration and inspiration: Encourage participants to share their ideas with each other, allowing for mutual influence and brainstorming.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the initial brainstorming phase in a Design Thinking workshop?

The primary goal of the brainstorming phase is to inspire participants, get them thinking creatively, and help them generate a variety of ideas. This phase encourages everyone to build on each other's ideas and think freely before moving to more concrete sketching.

How long should participants spend on sketching their ideas during the workshop?

Participants should spend around 30 minutes sketching their ideas. The goal is for them to focus on one idea that they are excited about and want to prototype, ensuring that they have enough time to develop a concept clearly.

Why is it important for the prototype to be clear but not necessarily beautiful?

The prototype's purpose is to communicate the idea clearly to others and facilitate feedback. It doesn’t need to be a polished product but should be understandable enough to guide users through the concept and gather insights.

What tools and methods can be used for prototyping during the workshop?

Prototyping tools can range from physical paper prototypes to digital formats like slides or mockups in software like Miro or Keynote. The focus should be on clarity, not aesthetics, to ensure the prototype communicates the concept effectively.

Why is it essential to conduct a debrief at the end of the workshop?

The debrief is important because it allows facilitators to set expectations for the next phase (prototyping and testing), offer participants clarity about their tasks, and gather immediate feedback to improve future workshops.

What is one of the most important aspects to communicate during the debrief?

It’s essential to ensure participants understand when to complete their prototypes and testing, how long they have to do so, and when follow-up will occur. This clarity helps participants feel more comfortable moving forward.

Why should facilitators ask for feedback during the debrief instead of after the workshop?

Asking for feedback during the debrief is more effective because people tend to forget or delay providing feedback after the workshop. Gathering it immediately ensures more comprehensive and relevant responses.

What is one tip for ensuring a smooth and successful remote Design Thinking workshop?

One critical tip is to introduce the tools (e.g., Miro, Mural, Zoom) ahead of time during the onboarding call. This ensures participants are familiar with the platforms and can focus on the work instead of struggling with the technology.

How long should a remote Design Thinking workshop ideally last?

A remote Design Thinking workshop should ideally be no longer than a couple of hours. Remote sessions can be exhausting, so keeping them short helps maintain energy and focus throughout the session.

What are some strategies to create a professional environment for a remote workshop?

To create a professional environment, ensure good lighting, clear audio, and a neat background. This helps participants focus on the session and makes the experience feel more polished and engaging.