Design StoryBoards (Basic)

When to use Design StoryBoards (Basic)

Use this method when you want to proactively design a meeting or workshop to avoid common pitfalls like unclear purpose, lack of participation, and wasted time. It's particularly useful when you want to tap into the collective intelligence of a group to create a more effective and innovative session.

What it solves

Unclear meeting objectives, lack of engagement, dominant voices, wasted time.

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

1. Clarify the purpose of the work together. Use Nine Whys if needed. (2-5 min)
2. Describe the standard approach or microstructure normally used and assess its successes and failures. (5-10 min)
3. Reexamine and strengthen the purpose statement if needed. (2-5 min)
4. Reexamine and decide who needs to participate or be involved. (2-5 min)
5. Brainstorm alternative microstructures (conventional and Liberating Structures) that could achieve the purpose. Determine if the purpose can be achieved in one step. If not, what must be the purpose of the first step? Continue with first step only. (5-10 min)
6. Determine which microstructures are best suited to achieving the purpose; choose one plus a backup. (2-10 min)
7. Decide who will be invited and who will facilitate the meeting. Enter all decisions in the blank storyboard. (2-10 min)
8. Determine the questions and process to evaluate the design (e.g., Did the design achieve desired outcomes? Did the group work together in a productive way? Does something new seem possible now? Use What, So What, Now What?). (2-5 min)
9. If multiple steps are needed, confer with the design team and arrange a meeting to work on an Advanced Design StoryBoard. (5-10 min)

Materials needed

• Large paper or whiteboard
• Sticky notes
• Markers
• Liberating Structures Playing Cards (optional)
• Storyboard template (spreadsheet)

Facilitator tips

• Encourage rapid iterations and playful experimentation with different designs.
• Work in pairs or small groups to get diverse perspectives.
• Use icons and sketches to quickly develop shared understanding.

Common pitfalls

• Not allocating enough time for the design process. A rushed design can lead to a frustrating meeting.
• Failing to include a diverse group of stakeholders in the design process. This can lead to a design that doesn't meet the needs of all participants.

Variations

• Use the same approach to map ethnographic observations of a current practice.
• Use a pie chart to illuminate and balance the goals and flow of your design.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared digital whiteboard like Miro or Mural to create the storyboard collaboratively.

What it produces

A visual storyboard outlining the meeting's purpose, participants, microstructures, and timing.

Origin

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

Build a session around Design StoryBoards (Basic)

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

Generate a session with Design StoryBoards (Basic) · Try METODIC free