Workshop facilitation

• Brainstorming Techniques
  Lead a successful brainstorming session with these tips: Ask open-ended questions, encourage creativity, and record ideas.Brainstorming Techniques
• User Testing
  How to use user testing to improve your product? Learn best practices for conducting user tests in this workshop.User Testing
• Sticky notes
  Never tear sticky notes from the bottom. Always tear the sticky note from the SIDE, and this way it will sit flat on any surface.Sticky notes
• Workshop goals
  Setting workshop goals and objectivesWorkshop goals
• Ideation techniques
  Ideation is all about generating creative ideas and solutions to problems. Ideation techniques
• Collaboration strategies
  Collaboration and teamwork strategies for design teamsCollaboration strategies

Preparing for a workshop

When preparing for a workshop, it is important to create a session plan that outlines the goals and objectives of the workshop, the activities that will be conducted, and the timeline for the workshop.

It is also important to consider the audience and their needs, as well as the resources that will be needed to facilitate the workshop.

Example session plan

Day 1

• Introductions and Icebreakers (30 minutes)
• Overview of Workshop Goals (30 minutes)
• Group Discussion (1 hour)
• Break (15 minutes)
• Group Activity (1 hour)
• Wrap-up and Q&A (30 minutes)

Day 2

• Review of Day 1 (30 minutes)
• Individual Activity (1 hour)
• Break (15 minutes)
• Group Activity (1 hour)
• Presentations (1 hour)
• Wrap-up and Q&A (30 minutes)

Who should be a facilitator

In order to run an effective design workshop for product or service design, facilitators need to have strong communication and facilitation skills.

They should be able to create a safe and comfortable environment for participants, and be able to manage the group dynamics.

Facilitators should also be knowledgeable about the topic of the workshop, and be able to explain complex concepts in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, facilitators should be able to think on their feet and be able to adjust the workshop plan as needed.

Best collaboration and digital whiteboard tools for online workshops

• Miro — The online collaborative whiteboard platform to bring teams together, anytime, anywhere.
• MockFlow — Online whiteboard for brainstorming user interfaces with your team
• LucidChart — Lucidchart is the intelligent diagramming application that brings teams together to make better decisions and build the future.
• LucidSpark — The virtual whiteboard that connects teams so they can bring their best ideas to life
• Canva — Canva makes it easy to create professional designs and to share or print them.
• Doodle — Doodle is an online scheduling tool that helps you quickly find the best time for everyone to meet. It’s free, easy to use, and saves you time by automatically suggesting the best times for your event.