Explaining the Structure and Components of This Training

Below you will find an example of a two-day design thinking workshop agenda.

Below are some examples of instructions given to participants in actual workshops. You can use them to formulate your own rules of engagement!

This training is not a lecture.

The training will require active participation by everyone.

There will be a lot of group work and this group work has to stick to certain rules (airtime for everyone, defer judgment, and so on).

The goal is not to agree from the beginning - it is about hearing and exploring divergent perspectives.

Parallel work and the use of electronic devices during training are an absolute no-go.

This training will require the full engagement of participants, not only physically but also from a mental point of view.

Sometimes you will feel a bit odd, especially when doing strange things that you are not used to doing in your daily business routine. However, this is a special part of Design Thinking and there is no way around it.

This training has a thought agenda, and therefore all sessions will be strictly time boxed.

The agenda is not the only reason for this. Time boxing is also a driver for creativity, especially when using wild teamwork approaches. Time boxing is pivotal to ensure the achievement of results.

David Kelley (IDEO) states: "Design Thinking is a messy process. If you don't time box it, you'll get lost in space."