What are the best co-creation and prototyping methods for large groups?

1 World Café

World Café is a method that enables large groups to have meaningful conversations around a common topic or question. It involves dividing the group into smaller tables of four or five people, who discuss the topic for a set amount of time. Then, some participants move to a different table, while one person stays as the host and summarizes the previous conversation. This way, ideas and insights are cross-pollinated and enriched. World Café is useful for co-creating a shared understanding of the problem, generating diverse perspectives, and exploring possible solutions.

2 Gallery Walk

Gallery Walk is a method that allows large groups to review and give feedback on multiple prototypes or concepts. It involves displaying the prototypes or concepts on posters or boards around the room, and inviting the group to walk around and observe them. Participants can use sticky notes, markers, or stickers to comment, vote, or rate the prototypes or concepts. Gallery Walk is useful for prototyping and testing multiple solutions, gathering feedback from different stakeholders, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each option.

3 Open Space

Open Space is a method that empowers large groups to self-organize and co-create their own agenda and topics of interest. It involves inviting the group to propose and announce topics that they want to explore or work on, and creating a schedule of parallel sessions based on the topics. Participants can choose which sessions to join, move between sessions, or create new ones. Open Space is useful for co-creating and prototyping solutions that address the needs and passions of the group, fostering collaboration and ownership, and tapping into the collective wisdom and creativity of the group.

4 Rapid Prototyping

Rapid Prototyping is a method that enables large groups to quickly create and test low-fidelity prototypes or concepts. It involves dividing the group into smaller teams of three or four people, who use simple and cheap materials, such as paper, cardboard, or clay, to build a prototype or concept that answers a specific question or challenge. Then, the teams present their prototypes or concepts to the rest of the group, and receive feedback and suggestions. Rapid Prototyping is useful for prototyping and testing solutions in a short time, learning from failures and iterations, and generating feedback and insights.

5 Future Search

Future Search is a method that helps large groups to co-create a shared vision and action plan for the future. It involves engaging the group in a series of activities that cover the past, present, and future of the topic or issue. The activities include creating timelines, mind maps, scenarios, and action plans, and sharing them with the whole group. Future Search is useful for co-creating and prototyping solutions that align with the common goals and values of the group, building commitment and consensus, and planning for implementation and evaluation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?