g

n
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m
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o
t
Games
ch
r
a
e
s
e
R
r
e
s
Making U

e
v
i
t
c
u
d
o
r
P
Fun and
@TraceyNolte

Agenda

a
d
n
Age

talk
about it

play
a ga m e
ask
questio
ns

About Me
Tracey Nolte
UX Practice Area Lead
Slalom Consulting
Over 20 years in IT
Worked for / consulted for:
ExxonMobil, AT&T, McAfee, JC Penney, Sally
Beauty, Dr Pepper, American Heart
Association, Microsoft, Oncor, Glazers,
Freeman, Radio Shack, Centex Homes,
Continental Airlines, EDS, and many more
Started as BA, moved into BI/Analytics,
moved in to Development then Design, then
UX.

What is Gamestorming?
Combines
brainstorming with

GAMES!
W hy
?
What
is it,
really?

How
does it
work?

t
W ha f
o
kind
es
m
a
g
?

a
n
o
B a se d
book

BY
Dave Gray
Sunni Brown
James Macanufo

,
t
i
s
i
t
a
h
W
?
y
l
l
rea

g
n
i
m
r
o
t
s
e
Gam

n
io
t
a
v
o
n
n
i
&
y
r
e
is a discov
m e th o d .
Discovery

Innovatio
n

Can one person discover &

innovate?

Yes, but many ideas are better!

Are the elements in your meetings

producing OUTSTANDING results?
Worke
rs
Objecti
ves

Work
Area

Resul
ts?

Could you get more results with specific

direction, engagement & participation?
Rules
&
Goals

Play
Area

Playe
rs

Resul
ts

o
d
y
h
W
it ?

Typical User Centered Design

Process
Research

Concept

Seek to understand
Gather input & feedback
Brainstorm
Plan

Design

Build

User meetings = BORING

Gamestorming = FUN

Old way.

New way.

Why Brainstorm?
Fun
for
users

Explore
innovatio
n in a
new way

Articula
te
NEEDS
s.

Replac
e
boring
meeti
ngs
Articula
te
NEEDS
vs.
wants
Create
mutual
understand
ing

Solidify
strategy
&
approac
h

Identif
y
proble
ms
/issue
s

Identify
other
afected
stakehold
ers

Have
users
nt
docume
u
it for yo

Visualiz
e
Solution

Get
users
involve
d in
innovati
on

Much,
much,
more!

User
Adoption
Fun
for
users

Get
users
involve
d in
innovati
on
Create
mutual
t an d
unders
ing

Why
Brainstorm?
Explore &
Get Results
Innovate
Organize

Identif
y
proble
ms
/issue
s
Think
outside
yourself

Identify
other
afected
stakehold
ers

Create
options &
possibiliti
es

Replac
e
boring
meeti
ngs
Visualiz
e
Solution

Have
users
nt
docume
u
it for yo

Articula
te
NEEDS
vs.
wants
Solidify
strategy
&
approac
h

w
o
H
t
i
s
e
o
d
?
k
r
wo

?
k
r
o
w
t
i
s
e
o
d
How
1.
2.
3.
4.

hod
t
e
m
e
in
m
r
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t
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D
es
Prepare / Suppli
e
t
a
r
o
b
a
ll
o
C
/
e
Moderat
e
z
ly
a
n
A
&
t
c
e
ll
Co
Results

Which method?
Paper / Post It
www.postit.com

Prro
oss::
P

Ric
ichh uusseerr in
R
in
rsoonn
ppeers
inte
tera
raccti
in
tioonn
&II in
invvit
&
iteess
moore
re
m
ccoollllaabboora
rati
tioonn

:
:
s
s
n
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o
Co tiinngg
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nssla
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a fifin
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h
e
s
h
eaadds
sspprre keess aa
ss ttaak tim
mee
i
t
g
n
g
lloon

Online
www.innovationgames.com

Prro
oss::
P

Auuto
tom
maati
A
ticc
ta in
ddaata
in aa
reaaddsshheeeett
ssppre
& EEaassyy fo
&
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:
:
s
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be

l iinn b &
l
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t
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gyy & k
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g
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u
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woorrk
w
t

t
n

sn
ddooees taabblleett
oonn t s yyeett
iccees
ddeevvi

?
k
r
o
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o
d
How
1.
2.
3.
4.

hod
t
e
m
e
in
m
r
e
t
e
D
es
Prepare / Suppli
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a
r
o
b
a
ll
o
C
/
e
Moderat
e
z
ly
a
n
A
&
t
c
e
ll
Co
Results

Prepare
&
Supplies
Prepare
Prepare

reppaare
PPre
re
lannaati
eexxppla
tioonn
& ggaam
&
mee
rpoossee,,
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play area
area
play
with
with
supplies
supplies
and
and
instructions
instructions
..

ess
plliie
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up
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otteess
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?
k
r
o
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t
i
s
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o
d
How
1.
2.
3.
4.

hod
t
e
m
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Pre
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ll
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C
/
e
t
a
r
Mo de
ze
Collect & Analy
Results

Moderate & Collaborate

Moderators
You create the experience of
the game
make it enjoyable by

BEING ENJOYABLE!

Moderate & Collaborate

Collaborate
With shy people and get them
engaged by asking questions
Set goals and rewards

FOR COLLABORATING!

?
k
r
o
w
t
i
s
e
o
d
How
1.
2.
3.
4.

hod
t
e
m
e
in
m
r
e
t
e
D
s
e
li
p
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u
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r
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p
Pre
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r
o
b
a
ll
o
C
/
e
t
a
r
Mo de
ze
Collect & Analy
Results

Collect & Analyze Results

Collect
Results from participants into
excel for analysis.
Create columns & rows for

Pivot Tables & Graphs!

Collect & Analyze Results

Analyze
Results in the pivot tables
and graphs.
What do the results

MEAN and what

actions need to occur next?!

?
k
r
o
w
t
i
s
e
o
d
How
d
o
h
t
e
m
e
n
i
m
r
e
t
1. De
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li
p
p
u
S
/
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r
a
p
2. Pre
3. Moderate /
Collaborate
u lt s
s
e
R
e
z
ly
a
n
A
4.

t
a
Wh
f
o
d
n
i
k
?
s
e
m
ga

What is your objective?

PPrroodduucctt
ffuunnccttiioonnali
ali
t
tyy &
&
ccoom
mppoonneen
n
ttss??

fy
tify
Ideennti
Id
&
sueess &
issu
is
s?
ms?
lem
robble
ppro

Crreeaattee aa
C
jecctt
pprrooje
mee
ggaam
lann??
ppla
Cre
reaate
te
C
youurr
yo
levvaato
torr
EEle
Pitc
tchh??
Pi
Voote
te oonn
V
ideeaass,,
id
mppoonneenn
ccoom
ts oorr
ts
funnccti
tioonn??
fu

Org
rgaanniz
O
izee
& PPri
rioori
&
riti
tize
ze
Iteem
ms?
s?
It

enntt
m
e
u
m
c
u
o
c
D
o
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plleexx
m
p
o
m
c
o
a
c
a
ss??
pprroocceess

Crreeaattee aann
C
iennccee
eexxppeerrie
??

te
reaate
Cre
C
rsoonnaass
ppeers
oorr
meerr
sto
cust
om
cu
less?
?
rofifile
ppro

Viissio
V
ionnin
ingg
& ppllaannnning
&
ing

Cre
reaate
te
C
youurr
yo
levvaato
torr
EEle
Pitc
tchh??
Pi

Elevator Pitch
Object of Play:What has been a time-proven exercise in
product development applies equally well in developing
any concept: writing the elevator pitch. Whether
developing a service, a company-wide initiative, or just a
good idea that merits spreading, a group will benefit from
collaborating on what is-and isnt- in the pitch.
Often this is the hardest thing to do in developing a new
idea. An elevator pitch should be short and compelling
description of the problem youre solving, who you solve
it for, and one key benefit that distinguishes it from its
competitors. It must be unique, believable and important.
The better and bigger the idea, the harder the pitch is to
write.
Number of Players:Works as wellindividually as with a
small working group
Duration of Play:Long- save at least 90 minutes for the
entire exercise, and consider a short break after the initial
idea generation is complete, before prioritizing and
shaping the pitch itself. Small working groups will have an
easier time coming to a final pitch; in some cases it may
be necessary to assign one person follow-up
accountability for the final wording after the large
How
Play
decisions have been
madeto
in the
exercise.

te
reaate
Cre
C
rsoonnaass
ppeers
oorr
meerr
sto
cust
om
cu
s?
les?
rofifile
ppro

Empathy Map
GOAL: The goal of the game is to gain a deeper level of
understanding of a stakeholder in your business
ecosystem, which may be a client, prospect, partner,
etc., within a given context, such as a buying decision or
an experience using a product or service. The exercise
can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. You
should be able to make a rough empathy map in about
20 minutes, provided you have a decent understanding
of the person and context you want to map. Even if you
dont understand the stakeholder very well, the
empathy-mapping exercise can help you identify gaps in
your understanding and help you gain a deeper
understanding of the things you dont yet know.

How to Play

fy
tify
Ideennti
Id
&
sueess &
issu
is
s?
ms?
lem
robble
ppro

7 Ps Framework

Every meeting deserves a plan. Note that a great

plan can't guarantee a great outcome, but it will help
lay down the fundamentals from which you can
adapt. Sketch out these fundamentals by using the
7Ps framework.Use these items as a checklist. When
preparing for a meeting, thinking through the 7Ps
can improve focus and results, even if you have only
a few moments to reflect on them.

How to Play

Org
rgaanniz
O
izee
& PPri
rioori
&
riti
tize
ze
Iteem
ms?
s?
It

Forced Ranking
In all work of reasonable complexity, there is a
moment-to-moment risk that equally
importanttasks will overwhelm the human
mind. In knowledge work this may be
doublytrue, due to the intangible fuzziness
of any particular task. For groups that are
chartingout how they will work one of the
most practical and useful things they can do is
build achecklist.
Although creating a checklist may seem like an
open-and-shut exercise, often it uncoversa
manifest of issues. Because a checklist is a
focusing object, it demands that the
teamdiscuss the order and importance of
certain tasks. Team members are likely to have
diferentperspectives on these things, and the
checklist is a means to bring these issues
tothe surface and work with them.

How to Play

ipaattee
icip
Annttic
A
jecctt
pprrooje
iskkss??
rris

Speed boat
Identify anchors that keep your
product or project at risk. Identify
things that customers dont like about
your services, products or project.

How to Play

ntt
e
n
m
e
u
m
c
u
o
c
Do
D
leexx
p
l
m
p
o
m
c
o
aa c
ss??
pprroocceess

Context Map
We dont truly have a good grasp
of a situation until we see it in a
fuller context. The Context Map
is designed to show us the
external factors, trends, and
forces at work surrounding an
organization. Because once we
have a systemic view of the
external environment were in,
we are better equipped to
respond proactively to that
landscape.

How to Play

Viissio
V
ionnin
ingg
& ppllaannnning
&
ing

Cover Story
Cover Story is a game about pure imagination.
The purpose is to think expansively around an
ideal future state for the organization; its an
exercise in visioning. The object of the game is
to suspend all disbelief and envision a future
state that is so stellar that it landed your
organization on the cover of a well-known
magazine. The players must pretend as though
this future has already taken place and has been
reported by the mainstream media. This game is
worth playing because it not only encourages
people to think big, but also actually plants the
seeds for a future that perhaps wasnt possible
before the game was played.

How to Play

Voote
te oonn
V
ideeaass,,
id
mppoonneenn
ccoom
ts oorr
ts
funnccti
tioonn??
fu

Dot Voting
In any good brainstorming session, there
will come a time when there are too many
good ideas, too many concepts, and too
many possibilities to proceed. When this
time has come, dot voting is one of the
simplest ways to prioritize and converge
upon an agreed solution.

How to Play

Crreeaattee aann
C
iennccee
eexxppeerrie
??

Story boarding
This game asks players to envision and
describe an ideal future in sequence using
words and pictures. Storyboarding as a
technique is so versatile that it can be used
to show any topic, not just an ideal future.
But it is particularly powerful as a visioning
exercise since it allows players to imagine
and create possibilities. The players tell a
story with a happy ending, planting tiny
seeds for a diferent future. You can also use
storyboarding to let employees describe
their experience on a project, to show
approaches to solving a problem, or to orient
new employees on policies and procedures
its uses are limited only by the imagination.

How to Play

PPrroodduucctt
ffuunnccttiioonnali
ali
ttyy &
&
ccoom
mppoonnen
en
ttss??

Post Up
The goal of this game is to generate ideas
with silent sticky note writing. Generating
ideas is an opening activity, and a first
step. From here you can create an affinity
map or a bottom-up tree, or further
organize and prioritize the thoughts.
The Post-Up game is based on the
exercises in Rapid Problem-Solving with
Post-it Notes by David Straker.

How to Play

fy
tify
Ideennti
Id
&
sueess &
issu
is
s?
ms?
lem
robble
ppro

SWOT analysis
Begin by explaining your desired end state to your players. Draw a
picture of it and add fun descriptions to create a playful atmosphere.
Next, create achart with four quadrants and provide dot stickers,
sticky notes preferably a diferent color for each quadrant and
pens to the participants. In the upper left quadrant, write Strengths.
For 5 10 minutes, have players write their ideas on the sticky notes,
describing anything that will help excel toward the goal. Repeat this
process for each of the other quadrants in the following order:
Quadrant 2: Strengths what you have going for you
Quadrant 3: Weaknesses anything that can be improved upon
Quadrant 1: Opportunities leads that you can focus your energy on
Quadrant 4: Threats obstacles that you must surpass
After everyone has written their ideas, have them post their sticky
notes on the respective quadrants. As a team, go through each
category and cluster the related ideas together. Have players dot vote
with the stickers you have provided to identify the most relevant
clusters.
Next, collaborate with the participants to create broader categories
for the clusters, such as Customer Service, or Leadership. As
before, dot vote to find the most important categories.
To conclude the game, summarize your findings and work together to
identify how you can use the results to your advantage to reach your
desired end state. Engage the participants and encourage them to
come up with fresh insights.

How to Play

t
e
L
y
a
l
P

Vis
isio
ionnin
V
ingg
Big
ig D
D fo
B
forr
nneexxtt
yyeeaarr

GAME: Cover Story PRGIZES

roup to g
et the mo
benefits i
s entered
t
win a boo
k
Runners u
p ge t a
Microsoft
Goodie b
ag

RULES

Groups of TBD
Each group will create a magazine cover and
inside story.
imagine the best-case scenario for their
company and to take that scenario one
step further. Spend five quiet minutes
imagining their own stories before they
work together to agree on one. 3045
minutes to generate this story of the
year and represent it on their template.
Cover tells the BIG story of their success.
Headlines convey the substance of the cover story.

We
a
e
v
a
h
E
N
N
I
W
R!

Vis
isio
ionnin
V
ingg

GAME: Affinity
Stars

RULES
Groups of TBD
Each group identifies all the things
they have learned or want to learn as
a benefit during their time at Big D
The groups will organized and group
those things into summary categories
The summary categories will be
posted on a separate sheet with lines
for voting.
The opposite groups will then DOT
VOTE on each others summary.

PRIZES
Group
to get the
mo
benefits i
s entered
t
win a boo
k
Runn
e r s up g e
ta
Microsoft
Goodie b
ag

We
a
e
v
a
h
E
N
N
I
W
R!

niinn
o
n
i
s
o
i
i
s
V
i
V
&
gg &
in
ppllaannnnin
gg

GAME: Cover Story

s
n
o
i
t
s
e
Qu
?

RULES
Groups of TBD
Each group will create
an ideal future state of
Big Design for NEXT
YEAR
Create what you think
would be the most
stellar event including
speakers, topics, visuals,
images, headlines, or
activities that would be
exciting for next year

PRIZES
Most innovative and
creative team wins a book
Visual Meetings by
David Sibbet.
Group with most
innovative partition and
collaboration will be olte.co
n
y
e
c
a
r
t
@
y
e
entered
to
win
an
Xbox
Trac
with Connect and 2 games

e
t
l
o
n
y
e
c
a
r
t
@