Think, Write, Share
Description
Think-Write-Share, based on the Crawford Slip Method, provides the ability to gather innovative ideas and collaborate across large groups quickly. This approach transforms conventional individual brainstorming into a productive teaming exercise, leveraging the wisdom of crowds and the psychological safety provided through anonymity. Think-Write-Share is used in the majority of AGLX Techniques but can also be used alone.
Inputs
- Participants
- Focus Question, issue, or topic
- Digital or physical white board, post-it notes or cards, pens
Approach
Ensure participants have a writing utensil and post-its or cards. Present the Focus Question, issue, or topic.
Think. Participants are given time to reflect on the question or topic. This enables them to formulate their own ideas without influence or pressure from others.
Write. Next, participants transition to the write phase. Each individual writes their thoughts on the post-its or cards (ideally in ALL CAPS using the same type of writing instrument and color to preserve anonymity). A few words or a sentence (no more) per post-it or card is the goal. Writing not only engages different pathways in the brain, but also provides the concrete artifacts to be reviewed later. Writing individually ensures everyone’s voice is given equal weight and ideas occur absent external pressure.
Share. Participants may share their ideas by reading them aloud (if anonymity is not a constraint), attaching them to a whiteboard or other designated collection area, or handing them in to a collection box or point. Once responses have been gathered, the group can work together to identify patterns, deduplicate (remove duplicates), and group similar concepts together (affinity map). The review may also be conducted later by selected individuals (as per the Crawford Slip Method), so the “share” portion may end at response collection.
Considerations:
- Establish a clear Focus Question, issue, or topic. An ambiguous question or unclear topic may mean the responses are not meaningful.
- Designate a facilitator to guide the process and manage time.
- Technology Integration: Leverage appropriate tools based on the context. Manual work is preferred but a digital whiteboard or other digital space/tool may be required if the work needs to be conducted in a virtual/remote environment.
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