Materials:

Whiteboard/flip chart, markers, timer, a “Word Bag” with slips of paper containing random nouns (optional), or a device with internet access.

Phase 1: Warm-Up Round – “Yes, And…” (5 minutes)

Instructions:

To build psychological safety and get participants comfortable with accepting and building on ideas without judgment.

FACILITATOR INSTRUCTIONS:

• Setup:
  Ask participants to stand and form a circle. Explain that this physical shift helps energize the group and levels the playing field.
• Introduce the Exercise:
  Briefly explain the concept of “Yes, And…” from improvisational theater. Emphasize the two core rules:
  • Accept every idea (the “Yes” part).
  • Build upon it (the “And” part).
  • Clarify that this is a judgment-free zone; there are no bad ideas, and the goal is to create collaboratively.
• Guide the Flow:
  Instruct the person to your left to respond with “Yes, and…” and their own idea. The next person continues, building on the previous idea. Continue around the circle until everyone has contributed at least once.
• Debrief (Briefly):
  After the round, thank everyone and highlight how this practice of building instead of blocking is the foundation for the next exercise.

Phase 2: Main Event – Random Word Sprint (10 minutes)

To build psychological safety and get participants comfortable with accepting and building on ideas without judgment.

FACILITATOR INSTRUCTIONS:

• Define the Problem (2 mins):
  • Clearly state the problem you are tackling.
  • Write it concisely at the top of the whiteboard in the form of a “How Might We…” (HMW) question (e.g., “How might we increase user engagement for our app?”).
  • Ensure everyone is aligned on the challenge.
• Generate a Random Word (1 min):
  • Introduce the concept of a random catalyst. Present the two methods for obtaining a word:-Digital: Use a website like (https://randomwordgenerator.com/) on a phone or laptop. Have a participant shout “Stop!” or hit “Generate.”- Analog: Use a pre-prepared “Word Bag” filled with slips of paper containing random nouns (e.g., teapot, glacier, kazoo, satellite).
  • Have a participant draw a slip blindly.Write the chosen word in large letters on the whiteboard next to the HMW question.
• The Idea Sprint (7 mins):
  • Set a highly visible timer for 7 minutes.
  • Explain the goal: to generate as many ideas as possible that forge a connection between the random word and the problem.
  • Reinforce the rules: **No filtering, no judging, no explaining.** Encourage wild, ridiculous, and impractical ideas. The sheer quantity is the goal.
    Designate a scribe (yourself or a volunteer) to write every single idea on the whiteboard, verbatim and without editing.
  • Start the timer and facilitate the rapid-fire ideation. If the energy lags, encourage participants to make another connection, no matter how tenuous.
• Phase 3: The Harvest (5-10 minutes)

Goal: To identify the most promising ideas from the sprint without critiquing or shutting down creativity.

FACILITATOR INSTRUCTIONS:

• Silent Review:
  Once the sprint is over, give the group 60 seconds of silence to read all the ideas on the board.
• Dot Voting:
  • Hand each participant 2-3 dot stickers (or give them a marker to draw a dot).
  • Instruct them to vote for the ideas that are the most: