Cardstorming

What is it for?

A workshop process that enables the group to quickly order brainstorm data and to clarify meaning.

Time & People

20 – 60 minutes


15 – 50 people


Ideal: around 20

Materials

Blank cards or post-its


Pen/pencil per person


Blank wall

Source

Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) Technology of Participation

Description

• Write up the focus question for the cardstorming process where everyone can see it – refer to it often.

• Introduce the workshop with a context describing what the group will be doing, why it’s important, what the product will be and how long it will take

• Ask participants to individually brainstorm their ideas about the topic • Form pairs or triads and ask the groups to discuss their ideas and write up 5 – 7 ideas individually on A5 cards (NB: you will want to generate about 30 ideas)

• Ask the groups to spread their cards in front of them and ask for one card per group to post (provide some criteria: eg, best idea, most outrageous, most creative, most obvious etc)

• Post the cards one at a time on the wall, clarifying meaning as you go

• As more cards are posted, group similar cards together • When all the cards are posted do a review

• Then name the clusters, starting with the largest cluster (NB: allow enough time to discuss insights and insist on a descriptive name, rather than a one-word title. Refer back to the focus question when the group gets stuck)

• When all the clusters are named, check for any further variations or if anything is missing

• Reflect with the group on the work they have done