Design StoryBoards (Advanced)

When to use Design StoryBoards (Advanced)

Use this method when you are embarking on a complex transformation or innovation project and want to avoid common pitfalls like lack of buy-in, resistance to change, and inadequate user engagement. It's particularly useful when you need to design a series of interconnected activities and events that unfold over time.

What it solves

Lack of buy-in for large initiatives, resistance to change, inadequate user engagement, nightmarish implementation.

How to run Design StoryBoards (Advanced), step by step

1. Determine the composition of a design team that includes all relevant stakeholders and assemble the team (the composition can be adjusted ad hoc over time as the work progresses). (1-3 hrs)
2. Design team clarifies the overall purpose of the initiative (use Nine Whys or a more elaborate microstructure as needed). (1-6 hrs)
3. Describe in detail what happens when people use the current product, service, or approach that you wish to transform/improve. You may need to use a method like the Liberating Structure called Simple Ethnography to gather data for an accurate description of this current user experience. (6 hrs. to days or weeks)
4. Based on the users’ experience, assess how the current product, service, or approach succeeds and fails in achieving the stated purpose. (3 hrs. to days)
5. Reexamine and strengthen the purpose statement if needed. (1-6 hrs)
6. Reexamine and decide who needs to participate in the core design group and who needs to participate on the periphery to help with vetting or field testing. (1-3 hrs)
7. Brainstorm and outline alternative microstructures (both conventional and Liberating Structures) that help achieve the purpose. (3 hrs. to days)
8. Break up your outline into steps or chunks that can be designed and function independently (don’t try to put together a comprehensive design from the start). (1-6 hrs)
9. Determine a design for one step, selecting microstructures that are suited to achieving the purpose; choose one plus a backup. Repeat and continue with each step. (1-6 hrs)
10. Decide whether any testing or vetting of your design is feasible or desirable. Consider testing in waves and in different configurations. (1-6 hrs)
11. Implement the first step in a simulated or field setting. Continue testing in more extreme conditions. Evaluate the first and then the subsequent steps of your design. Repeat design cycle and refine the design for the next step, and so on…

Materials needed

• Large paper or whiteboard
• Sticky notes
• Markers
• Liberating Structures Playing Cards (optional)
• Storyboard template (spreadsheet)
• User research data (e.g., Simple Ethnography findings)

Facilitator tips

• Resist the urge for action and dedicate ample time to designing, assessing, and adjusting the storyboard.
• Establish a core design team but remain open to including others who want to contribute.
• Don't forget to include users in the design process!

Common pitfalls

• Rushing the design process due to pressure to take action. This can lead to a poorly designed initiative that fails to achieve its goals.
• Failing to involve users in the design process. This can lead to a design that doesn't meet their needs and is ultimately rejected.

Variations

• In place of focus groups with users, invite the users to participate in designing a storyboard to improve their experience with a product or service.
• Find an illustrator or cartoonist to dramatize your work.

Running it online or hybrid

Utilize online collaboration tools for asynchronous design work and virtual meetings for real-time collaboration.

What it produces

A series of interconnected storyboards outlining the various stages of the transformation or innovation initiative.

Origin

Liberating Structure developed by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless. — source

Build a session around Design StoryBoards (Advanced)

METODIC places Design StoryBoards (Advanced) inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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