What are some tools and methods for co-creating and co-designing with customers remotely or online?

1 Define your goals and scope

Before you start co-creating or co-designing with customers, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you expect from them. You also need to define the scope and boundaries of the project, such as the timeline, budget, deliverables, and roles and responsibilities. This will help you communicate your vision and expectations to your customers, as well as align them with your team and stakeholders. You can use tools such as project management software, online surveys, or shared documents to define and document your goals and scope.

2 Choose your participants and methods

Depending on your goals and scope, you may want to involve different types of customers in your co-creation or co-design process. For example, you may want to engage with existing customers, potential customers, or user groups that represent your target market. You also need to decide on the methods and techniques that you will use to co-create or co-design with them, such as brainstorming, prototyping, testing, or feedback sessions. You can use tools such as online platforms, social media, or video conferencing to recruit and interact with your participants and methods.

3 Establish trust and rapport

One of the key factors for successful co-creation and co-design with customers is trust and rapport. You need to build a relationship with your customers that is based on mutual respect, honesty, and openness. You also need to create a safe and supportive environment where they can share their opinions, ideas, and feedback without fear of judgment or criticism. You can use tools such as icebreakers, gamification, or storytelling to establish trust and rapport with your customers.

4 Facilitate and moderate

As a co-creator or co-designer with customers, you also need to act as a facilitator and moderator. You need to guide and support your customers throughout the co-creation or co-design process, as well as manage the dynamics and interactions among them. You also need to ensure that the process is productive, engaging, and inclusive, and that the outcomes are aligned with your goals and scope. You can use tools such as online whiteboards, chat rooms, or polls to facilitate and moderate your co-creation or co-design sessions.

5 Synthesize and iterate

After each co-creation or co-design session with customers, you need to synthesize and analyze the data and feedback that you have collected. You need to identify the key insights, themes, and patterns that emerge from your customers' input, as well as the gaps, challenges, and opportunities that they reveal. You also need to iterate and refine your product or service based on your customers' input, as well as test and validate it with them. You can use tools such as online dashboards, data visualization, or prototyping software to synthesize and iterate your co-creation or co-design outcomes.

6 Share and celebrate

Finally, you need to share and celebrate your co-creation or co-design outcomes with your customers, as well as your team and stakeholders. You need to acknowledge and appreciate your customers' contribution and involvement in the co-creation or co-design process, as well as showcase the value and impact of their input. You also need to solicit their feedback and suggestions for improvement, as well as invite them to continue the co-creation or co-design journey with you. You can use tools such as online portfolios, newsletters, or webinars to share and celebrate your co-creation or co-design outcomes.

7 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?