TEAM THINK*

This activity will produce lots of ideas for any topic at issue. By doing it in silence it reduces the influences of participants who may dominate and prevents groupthink.

TIME REQUIRED

80 minutes. (longer if more than 3 topics are presented)

RESOURCES

Pre-printed A4 cards, various colours (enough of each colour for all small groups), like this:

INSERT PRINT CARD

ACTION

1. The Facilitator splits the large group into smaller groups of 5 – 6 people.
2. Each group is given an A4 card with the printed grid.
3. The Facilitator gives out the first topic (may be pre-determined by the organisers or created by the group in another ACTIVITY) and asks the groups to write that in the large box in the middle of the card. (2 minutes)
4. In silence, participants write in one small box their solution to the topic; this allows for individual creativity without exposure to criticism.
5. They then hand the card to the person on their right, who writes their own comment in another box. The card continues to be passed to the right until all boxes have comments. (15 minutes)
6. The Facilitator collects in the cards and issues a new colour card with a new topic. As they collect each batch of cards the Facilitator posts these on a wall space.
7. Participants repeat stages 4 and 5. (30 minutes assuming a total of 3 topics)
8. This cycle is continued until the agreed number of cards have been distributed and completed (or interest is decreasing!).
9. When all the cards are on the wall, invite participants to wander around and read the collective wisdom of the groups.
10. It may be appropriate to use DOT VOTING to highlight the top three most interesting ideas or CLUSTER MAPPING to organise into themes.

DISCUSSION (20 minutes)

1. “What do the group want to do with their creative ideas?”
2. “Would an ACTIVITY around ACTION PLANS assist?”

EVALUATION (10 minutes)

1. How did the participants feel writing in silence? Is it more or less useful than talking?
2. “Is TEAM THINK effective and relevant for the use to which it is put?”

ADAPTATIONS

How would the group use this ACTIVITY in the future and would they make changes? Capture, record, circulate.