In a similar way to a devil’s advocate, the focus here is on those activities that limit success in one way or another. After agreeing on a clear and concise objective (e.g. a project that would see a specific tool being used), participants are invited to list “the things you must do to make sure that you achieve the worst imaginable result with respect to your top strategy or objective”, and to do this either individually or in small groups. What should you do to achieve negative results? Once the list is complete, they focus on those steps that are currently being taken (whether by themselves and their organization, or by others) and that resemble the points on the first list. At a third moment, the group discusses what would need to happen to prevent us from continuing with the activities or behaviours on the second list.
WHEN TO USE IT AND WHY
TRIZ creates space for innovation by helping a group let go of what it knows (but rarely admits) to limit success, and by inviting creative destruction. It makes it possible to challenge sacred cows safely and encourages heretical thinking. As outlined in the Liberating Structures pages, this technique
- makes it possible to speak the unspeakable and get skeletons out of the closet;
- makes space for innovation;
- lays the ground for creative destruction by doing the hard work in a fun way;
- builds trust when it brings all participants to act together to remove barriers.
HOW TO
- Introduce the idea of TRIZ and identify an unwanted result. If needed, have the group brainstorm in different ways and pick the most unwanted results;
- Participants are then invited to list “the things you must do to make sure that you achieve the most unwanted result with respect to your top strategy or objective”, and to do this either individually or in small groups. What should you do to achieve negative results?
- Individually or in groups, all participants go down this list and ask themselves if there is anything that they are currently doing (whether by themselves and their organization, or by others) that in any way, shape or form resembles the ideas in the list;
- At a third moment, the group discusses what would need to happen to prevent them from continuing with the activities or behaviours on the second list: what steps will help you stop what you know creates undesirable results?
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
- An open space, without chairs or tables
- Participants
- Cards, pens
- A facilitator or guide
MORE INFORMATION / SOURCE
- Liberating Structures, a set of "easy-to-learn microstructures that enhance relational coordination and trust, foster lively participation in groups of any size, making it possible to truly include and unleash everyone".