What is an ideation workshop?
An ideation workshop is a meeting or event focused on brainstorming and generating creative ideas.
You can use these sessions to develop new products or services, solve organisational problems, or even create marketing strategies for your company. The goal of an ideation session is to involve as many people as possible in generating fresh concepts and then evaluate those concepts to determine which ones will be implemented.
Why are ideation sessions important?
Ideation workshops offer several key benefits that other brainstorming methods cannot match.
For example, they allow everyone in the organisation—not just the top executives or managers—to participate in the decision-making process. This can help foster collaboration and creativity within the organisation while creating a sense of ownership among employees who may otherwise feel excluded from decision-making processes.
Additionally, ideations workshops allow participants to think outside the box and challenge their existing assumptions about a particular project or problem. Finally, these sessions can allow for more efficient problem-solving since all participants have equal input into the process.
How to decide what format to run your next ideation session
Ideation sessions are an important part of the research and development process. They allow teams to brainstorm new ideas, solve problems, and develop innovative products or services.
The success of an ideation session depends on a variety of factors, including the purpose, desired outcome, size of the group, composition of the group, location, length of session, time of day for the session, frequency of the sessions, level of structure for the session, level of facilitation for the session, type and number of techniques used during the session, order in which methods are used during the session and more.
With so many variables affecting an ideation session’s success, it is crucial to consider each before deciding on a format.
Determining why you need an ideation workshop
The purpose of the ideation workshop should be the first thing to consider when deciding on a format.
You can use ideation workshops for many different purposes. A clear idea of why you need one will help guide your decision-making process.
Questions you can ask yourself to determine why you need an ideation workshop include:
- What problem or challenge are we trying to solve? Understanding the problem you’re trying to solve is key to a focused activity that produces a successful outcome. That said, sometimes it is helpful to have a workshop to define the problem or challenge that you’re facing.
- What is the outcome that we want to achieve? Knowing the desired outcome will help you decide how in-depth you should go with the workshop and what techniques or processes you should use. One great technique for determining the desired outcome is to use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) framework.
- What strategic objective does this problem align with? Ideation workshops can be a great way to spark innovation and align business strategies with organisational objectives. Understanding the larger goal of the problem can help you decide on the best format. Aligning workshops with your organisation’s vision and mission will stimulate your team’s creative juices while helping everyone stay on track with the bigger picture.
Once you have a clear idea of why you need an ideation workshop, it is important to consider the composition of your group, the location and length of the session, as well as the time of day and frequency of sessions. Each of these factors can affect your ideation workshop’s success and should be considered when deciding on a format.
How Many People Should Attend?
The number and composition of workshop participants should be based on what you want to accomplish with your ideation session.
If you are looking for a broad range of ideas from multiple perspectives, you may want a larger group with diverse backgrounds; however, if you want focused discussion among experienced professionals, a smaller, more intimate setting may be better suited.
When deciding how many people should participate in your ideation sessions, it is essential to consider quantity and quality to ensure that all relevant points are discussed without overwhelming or distracting from one another.
Location, Length and Time of Day
The session’s location and length can significantly impact the success of your ideation workshop.
Suppose the participants will be coming from different locations. In that case, consider an online or virtual format to make things easier for everyone.
Regarding the session length, it is vital to ensure that you have enough time for participants to brainstorm, discuss and refine their ideas without feeling rushed. Of course, the exact length of the session will depend on how complex your problem is and how many people are attending. Still, typically ideation sessions should last between 1-4 hours.
Finally, when deciding on a time of day for the session, consider when your participants are most alert and productive. Early mornings or late evenings work best for specific groups. They can ensure that everyone is in the right frame of mind to be creative.
What Type Of Ideation Techniques Should Be Used?
The type and number of techniques used during an ideation session can vary depending on the work being done.
Some standard techniques include brainstorming (for generating ideas), mind mapping (for visualising connections between ideas), storyboarding (for developing concepts further) and role-playing (for testing out specific scenarios).
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach when choosing ideation techniques, you should choose each technique based on its ability to help achieve specific objectives, such as generating ideas quickly or developing existing concepts in greater detail.
How Will Ideas Be Captured?
Ideas generated during these sessions need to be captured so they can be further evaluated and implemented.
Depending on how large your ideation sessions are, you may need different methods for capturing these ideas, such as post-it notes for small groups or digital platforms like Google Docs or Evernote for larger groups. It is also essential to have someone take notes throughout the session so that any valuable insight shared by participants can be documented accurately.
What Level Of Facilitation Is Needed?
Ideation sessions should be facilitated by someone who has experience leading teams and is familiar with the techniques used during ideation.
You may require different facilitation levels depending on the session’s scope and requirements. For instance, you may need a more experienced facilitator for larger groups or discussions on more complex topics.
In the end, choosing the right facilitation team will help ensure that your ideation workshops successfully achieve their desired objectives.
By taking the time to consider these factors when planning your ideation sessions, you will be able to maximise their effectiveness and ensure that they are successful in helping you achieve your goals.
With the right approach, an ideation session can be an invaluable tool for generating innovative solutions to complex problems. It can also be an excellent way to foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving within your team.
So, carefully plan out your next ideation session, and you are sure to get the most out of it!