diverge · Ideation · 10–60 min · 1-50 people · low energy
Post-Up
Post-Up is a silent brainstorming technique that leverages sticky notes to generate a large quantity of ideas quickly and without interruption. It's effective for capturing diverse perspectives and fostering individual reflection before group discussion.
When to use Post-Up
Use Post-Up when you need to generate a wide range of ideas from a group, especially when you want to avoid groupthink or dominant voices influencing the process early on.
What it solves
Dominant voices drowning out quiet participants
How to run Post-Up, step by step
- Define the question. Write the brainstorming question or topic clearly on a whiteboard or virtual equivalent. (2 minutes)
- Silent brainstorming. Instruct participants to individually write down their ideas on separate sticky notes, one idea per note, in silence. (10-30 minutes)
- Post and present. Have each participant post their sticky notes on the board and briefly explain each idea. (5-20 minutes)
- Optional FOG Method. As participants present, encourage them to label each note as a Fact (F), Opinion (O), or Guess (G) to add clarity.
Materials needed
- Sticky notes
- Markers
- Whiteboard or virtual whiteboard (Miro, Mural)
- Timer
Facilitator tips
- Emphasize the importance of silence during the brainstorming phase.
- Encourage participants to write down every idea that comes to mind, even if it seems unconventional.
Common pitfalls
- Participants may struggle with the silence. Remind them that it's a chance for individual reflection.
- Some participants may write multiple ideas on one sticky note. Remind them to keep each idea separate.
Variations
- Use different colored sticky notes to represent different categories of ideas.
- After posting, allow participants to cluster similar ideas together to create affinity groups.
Running it online or hybrid
Use a virtual whiteboard tool like Miro or Mural. Ensure participants know how to create and move virtual sticky notes. Encourage participants to turn off notifications to maintain focus during the silent brainstorming phase.
What it produces
A collection of sticky notes containing diverse ideas related to a specific question or topic.
Origin
Based on exercises in Rapid Problem-Solving with Post-it® Notes by David Straker, as described on Gamestorming.com — source
Build a session around Post-Up
METODIC places Post-Up inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.