Note & Vote

Note & Vote

Description

A no-brainer activity to improve any meeting & make fast decisions

Reading Time

3 mins

Activity time

15-45 mins

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What is this for? This is one of the simplest ways to use Design Thinking principles to improve any meeting or make a fast decision. In as little as 15 mins, and with zero prep, you can use this tool anytime, anywhere. Mindset and core principles Making collective decisions is difficult but it doesn't need to be. Including diverse perspectives and collaborating can accelerate innovation to new levels.

Overview

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This is a 15-30 minute activity you can use in any meeting or group. Get a clear decision fast, while making sure everyone’s voice is heard.

Use this to guide a group of any size through these 3 simple steps:

  1. Gather everyone’s ideas and opinions
  2. Vote on the ideas
  3. Prioritise and narrow down

Step 1: Gather multiple ideas

Introduce the topic and the specific challenge you are trying to solve, and write it on the board so people can always see it.

  • Explain: “In 5 mins write as many ideas as you can (1 per sticky)”
  • Set a timer for 5 mins
  • Everyone writes ideas and suggestions in silence
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Step 2: Vote on ideas

Participants get 3 votes each, and they place them on solutions they think would be most likely to solve the challenge.

Don’t eliminate ideas that seem unfeasible - big ideas can be tackled incrementally.

  • Explain: “You get 3 votes each, don’t feel limited by feasibility”
  • Set a timer for 5 mins
  • Each person places their 3 votes on the stickies
    • They can put more than one vote on a sticky if they want
    • They are allowed to vote on their own stickies!
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Step 3: Prioritize and narrow down

  • Re-arrange the stickies in order of votes (most votes at the top)
  • Option 1: Top votes wins (easiest way forward)
  • Option 2: Multiple solutions
    • If you have the capacity to take action on more than one solution you can choose the top 2 or 3 ideas
  • Option 3: Use a Decider to make the final call
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Additional Resources

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Recommended reading
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Additional Resources
  • Mural (digital collaboration whiteboard)
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