What Is The Typical Outcome Of A Facilitated Ideation Workshop? How Can You Be Sure You Get The Most Out Of It?

Ideation workshops are powerful for generating new ideas and driving innovation in organisations. 

They are designed to foster collaboration and creativity among a diverse group of participants and help companies develop new product or service ideas that can be evaluated and developed further.

But while ideation workshops can be incredibly effective, they are not always successful.

To get the most out of an ideation workshop, it’s important to understand what they are, how they work, and what steps you can take to ensure they are successful.

What is an ideation workshop?

An ideation workshop is a brainstorming session designed and facilitated to generate new ideas. It typically involves a group of people who come together to discuss a specific topic or problem and to come up with as many potential solutions as possible.

You can use ideation workshops to generate ideas for new products or services, identify potential solutions to business problems, or explore new ways of doing things. They are typically facilitated by a professional facilitator trained in facilitating brainstorming sessions and can guide the conversation and encourage participants to think outside the box.

Why are ideation workshops important?

Ideation workshops are important because they can help organisations generate new ideas that can be evaluated and developed further. This can be incredibly valuable for companies looking to innovate and grow, as it can help them identify new opportunities and create new products or services in demand.

Ideation workshops are also important because they can foster collaboration and creativity among a diverse group of participants. By bringing together people with different backgrounds, skills, and perspectives, ideation workshops can help organisations tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience they might not otherwise have access to.

How do ideation workshops work?

Ideation workshops typically follow a structured process that is designed to encourage participants to think creatively and generate as many ideas as possible. This process typically includes the following steps:

1. Identify the problem or challenge that the workshop will focus on. This could be a specific business problem the organisation is trying to solve or a more general topic relevant to the industry or market.
2. Invite participants who have a range of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. This could include employees from different departments, external experts, customers, or partners.
3. Provide participants with all relevant information ahead of time. This could include background materials, data, or other information to help them understand the problem or challenge the workshop will focus on.
4. Plan out some broad talking points for the workshop itself. This could include questions or prompts that help guide the conversation and encourage participants to think creatively.
5. Facilitate the workshop in a way that encourages participation and collaboration. This could involve using various brainstorming techniques, such as mind mapping or idea mapping, to help participants generate as many ideas as possible.
6. Evaluate and develop the ideas that are generated during the workshop. This could involve further brainstorming sessions, market research, or other activities to help the organisation determine which ideas are worth pursuing.

How can you ensure you get the most out of an ideation workshop?

To get the most out of an ideation workshop, it’s essential to follow a few key steps. These include:

1. Plan ahead. Make sure you have a clear idea of what the workshop will focus on and that you have invited the right participants with the skills and experience to contribute.
2. Provide participants with all relevant information. This will help them understand the problem or challenge the workshop will focus on and give them a better starting point for generating ideas.
3. Plan out some broad talking points for the workshop. This will help guide the conversation and ensure that participants focus on the right topics.
4. Facilitate the workshop in a way that encourages participation and collaboration. This could involve using various brainstorming techniques, such as mind mapping or idea mapping, to help participants generate as many ideas as possible.
5. Evaluate and develop the ideas that are generated during the workshop. This could involve further brainstorming sessions, market research, or other activities to help the organisation determine which ideas are worth pursuing.
6. Follow up on the ideas that are generated. This could involve inviting participants to an online portal where they can continue the conversation or hosting additional workshops to develop the generated ideas further.

By following these steps, organisations can ensure that they get the most out of their ideation workshops and generate new ideas that can drive innovation and growth.