Quick Product Discovery: 1-Hour Ideation Workshop

Practical Tips & Tricks for Running a Productive Discovery Workshop in Five Steps.

As a product designer, I lead discovery sessions for my product teams and stakeholders. The ideation workshop is a powerful tool for collaboratively defining or solving problems, nurturing a creative mindset, and incorporating diverse perspectives.

In this article, I share how we conduct simple yet effective ideation workshops in one hour. By the end of the session, we walk away with a list of prioritized ideas and clear action plans for the next steps.

• Step 1. Share objectives and food for thought (5–10 min)
• Step 2. Brainstorm (5 min)
• Step 3. Cluster ideas (20 min)
• Step 4. Prioritise (15–20 min)
• Step 5. Solidify the next steps: who, when, what (10 min)

Ideation workshop example on Figjam

Before the workshop

Inviting the right people

To run a workshop effectively, aim for 3 to 10 participants, including:

• Decision-makers: team leads, product owners, program managers, …
• Hands-on creators: designers, developers, content editors, ...
• Knowledge holders: researchers, analysts, ...

Excluding any of these groups can lead to challenges such as:

• Difficulty integrating workshop outcomes into the product cycles.
• Misunderstandings or misalignments regarding essential requirements.
• Moving forward with impractical ideas and restarting from scratch after investing significant time and effort.

Defining the right scope

Opting for a workshop proves valuable when:

• There is an open-ended topic to explore and you want to refine it into specific problems to address.
• There is a well-defined problem or opportunity at hand and you want to generate innovative solutions.

To ensure a productive session, it’s crucial to maintain a well-defined scope. Instead of aiming for broad objectives like ‘discovery for the next quarter,’ consider narrowing it down to specific goals like ‘determining the top three test initiatives for the next quarter’ or ‘generating ideas to improve the product filtering experience.’

During the workshop

Step 1. Share objectives and food for thought (5–10 min)

Set the stage by outlining the session’s objectives and a brief preview of what participants can expect. Capture their interest by presenting intriguing information aligned with the objectives.

• Use visual materials such as previous test outcomes, benchmark examples, heuristic analyses, and user insights.
• Use bite-sized, easily digestible insights to spark inspiration among participants, and avoid exhaustive reports or lengthy presentations.
• Articulate the connection between the workshop’s objectives and the team’s quarterly goals or key performance indicators (KPIs).

Example: Objectives and food for thoughts

Step 2. Brainstorm (5 min)

Set the timer and allow participants to express their ideas and thoughts at their own pace. To enhance effectiveness, consider the following tips:

• Include a ‘How Might We’ question or problem statement on the board to define the problem space.
• Preload the board with one or two sample ideas and empty sticky notes.
• When addressing multiple topics, use separate boards to maintain focus and organization.

Example: Brainstorming board

For larger groups, encourage participants to generate as many ideas as possible initially. Later in the session, ask them to submit their top 3 to 5 most promising ideas.

Example: Brainstorming board for a larger group

Step 3. Cluster ideas (20 min)

There are two approaches to clustering generated ideas, depending on the number of ideas on the board:

Option 1. Sequential clustering: Ideal for smaller idea sets

• Review each idea individually, allowing the idea’s author to explain their thoughts and intentions.
• As one person presents their idea, others can simultaneously drag in related ideas and start forming clusters.
• Assign a descriptive title to each cluster once its identity becomes clear.

Example: Sequential clustering

Option 2. Simultaneous clustering: Efficient for larger idea sets

• Set a 3–5 minute timer to allow all participants to independently cluster similar ideas and name the clusters simultaneously.
• Once the timer goes off, review each cluster and title collectively.

Example: Simultaneous clustering

Step 4. Prioritise (15-20 min)

There are numerous methods for prioritizing ideas. For a quick and effective prioritization process in a short ideation session, consider the following two options:

Option 1. Voting

Each participant is given 2–5 votes, which they can distribute among the ideas or clusters on the board. This method is a fast and efficient approach that captures the collective opinion regarding the ideas’ value.

Example: Voting

Option 2. Value-Effort Matrix
This method improves accuracy by independently evaluating two key criteria: value and effort.

• Value: Assess the potential impact and benefits in terms of user value and business priority.
• Effort: Estimate the resources and time required to implement the idea, including design, development, and communication efforts.

The matrix provides a clear visual representation of the ideas’ relative priority and makes the assessment more objective compared to voting.

Example: Value-Effort Matrix

A hybrid approach that combines voting to quickly identify promising clusters and a value-effort matrix to thoroughly evaluate individual ideas can be also an effective strategy for idea prioritization.

Step 5. Solidify the next steps: who, when, what (10 min)

The final step is to create a clear action plan and assign tasks to specific individuals or teams. Encouraging collective input from all participants can foster engagement and ensure everyone has a sense of ownership.

• Create a task list: Outline the specific steps required to bring each idea to life.
• Assign responsibilities: Assign each task to a designated person or team.
• Set realistic deadlines: Establish clear timelines for completing each task.

Example: Creating a task list

After the workshop

To ensure the momentum and effectiveness of the ideation workshop, it’s crucial to follow up promptly.

• Send a follow-up email within 24 hours, summarizing the session's key takeaways, prioritized ideas, and action plan.
• Create tickets and assign them to each individual or team.
• Establish regular follow-up meetings to monitor progress.

Conclusion

Ideation is not about perfection; it’s about igniting the sparks of creativity and laying the foundation for innovative solutions. By adhering to a well-defined framework and continuously refining our ideation process, we can cultivate a thriving culture of innovation within our team, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements.