Brainstorming and idea generation are crucial aspects of problem-solving and innovation. They help individuals and teams to think creatively and generate innovative ideas. However, traditional brainstorming sessions can sometimes be tedious and unproductive. That’s where LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® comes in. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a facilitation technique that uses Lego bricks to enhance creativity and collaboration during brainstorming and idea-generation sessions. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and how it can facilitate successful brainstorming and idea-generation sessions.
How does LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® work?
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® process involves structured activities to stimulate creativity and encourage collaboration. The process typically involves the following steps:
1. Define the problem: The first step in the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® process is to define the problem that needs to be solved. It involves identifying the key issues and challenges that the team is facing and clearly defining the problem statement.
2. Build a model: The second step is building a model using Lego bricks representing the problem or challenge. The model can be a physical representation of the problem or a symbolic representation that captures the essence of the problem.
3. Share the model: Once complete, each participant shares their model with the group. It is an opportunity for participants to explain their thinking and share their ideas with the rest of the team.
4. Reflect and refine: After everyone has shared their model, the group reflects on the ideas that have been presented and refines them to create a collective understanding of the problem.
5. Build a shared model: The final step in the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® process is to build a shared model representing the team’s collective understanding of the problem. This model serves as a visual representation of the team’s shared knowledge and can be used to guide future discussions and decision-making.
Why is LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® effective?
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is an effective technique for facilitating brainstorming and idea-generation sessions for several reasons:
1. It encourages participation: The use of Lego bricks and the building process encourages involvement from everyone in the group, regardless of their background or expertise. This ensures that all ideas are heard and considered.
2. It promotes creativity: The tactile nature of building with Lego bricks stimulates the imagination and fosters creativity. This encourages participants to think outside the box and generate innovative ideas.
3. It enhances collaboration: The collaborative nature of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® process encourages participants to work together to create a shared understanding of the problem. This promotes teamwork and cooperation.
4. It provides a visual representation: The use of physical models provides a visual representation of the problem and the solutions generated by the group. This makes communicating ideas easier and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Case study:
Let’s look at a case study from the healthcare industry. A hospital was experiencing problems with patient satisfaction and was looking for ways to improve the patient experience. The hospital used LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® to facilitate a brainstorming session with their staff.
The hospital brought together diverse staff members, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, to participate in the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® session. The facilitator started by defining the problem statement: “How can we improve the patient experience at our hospital?” The participants then built individual models using Lego bricks representing their ideas for improving the patient experience. Some models included a hospital room with a more comfortable bed, a smiling doctor holding a clipboard, and a patient navigating a simplified check-in process.
After everyone had shared their models, the group reflected on the ideas that had been presented and identified common themes. They then used these common themes to build a shared model representing their collective understanding of the problem and the solutions they generated. The shared model included a patient-centered hospital with comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and streamlined processes. The hospital used this shared model to guide their decision-making and prioritize their efforts to improve the patient experience.
The result significantly improved patient satisfaction scores and more engaged and motivated staff. Using LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® helped the hospital think more creatively and collaboratively about their problem and generated innovative solutions that would not have been possible through traditional brainstorming techniques.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a new and effective way to facilitate brainstorming and idea-generation sessions, consider using LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a powerful facilitation technique to enhance creativity and collaboration during brainstorming and idea-generation sessions. By using Lego bricks to build 3D models, participants can think more deeply and creatively about the problem they are trying to solve. The process is highly inclusive and encourages participation from everyone in the group, regardless of their background or expertise. This ensures that all ideas are considered and leads to more innovative solutions.
