The document describes two types of "Spark-a-Thons" to facilitate collaboration and idea generation. A Problem-Finding Spark-a-Thon encourages exploring problems in the field to foster bigger picture thinking. A Problem-Solving Spark-a-Thon uses role-playing, constraints, and group decision making to develop and refine ideas. Both approaches incorporate play elements and can be adapted for work contexts to overcome barriers to collaboration like silos and develop a more collaborative culture.

1. S PA R K I N G C O L L A B O R AT I O N
T H R O U G H C R E AT I V E P L AY
B U R N I N G D O W N T H E B L O C K S !

2. C A R O LY N C H A N D L E R A N N A VA N S L E E
HELLO, IT’S NICE TO MEET YOU.
@chanan @adventuringanna

3. L E T ’ S G O O N A N # A D V E N T U R E

4. SPONGE SPARK SPLATTER SCULPT STORYTELL
Choose a design
challenge and
immerse in the
related context.
What do you want to
make better? For
who?
Take insights from
Sponge. Define your
audience and their
needs. Generate the
solution idea you
want to design.
Brainstorm multiple
ideas (quantity over
quality). Explore
possible features
and content.
!
Form and refine
your solution with
user insights and
design strategy.
!
Express the
importance and
meaning of your
solution.
HERE IS OUR ADVENTURE MAP:

5. L E T ’ S P L AY !
• Problem: Barriers to
Group Co-Creation
• Solution: Collaboration
Strategies
• In Practice: Spark-A-Thon!
• Tips, Tricks & Hacks
( A G E N D A )

6. Barriers to Collaboration and Co-Creation
W E ’ V E G O T P R O B L E M S

7. D E PA R T M E N TA L S I L O S
One person = One role = One great way to stifle creativity

8. G E N E R AT I O N G A P S
From WiFi to Hi-Fi, we’ve got some differences to overcome.

9. P O W E R D I S TA N C E S
Pressure to perform can be murder on creativity

10. K E E P C A L M & C O L L A B O R AT E
Strategies to Maximize “Group Think” Dynamics

11. F O C U S E D C H A L L E N G E S
Adding and removing constraints can force a game-changing
perspective shift in your perspective on a problem.

12. A B D U C T I V E L O G I C
Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like a non sequitur.

13. P L AY
Play is practice for the real world, but without the consequences

14. T H E S PA R K - A - T H O N

15. S PA R K - A - T H O N T Y P E A
The Problem-Finding Spark-a-Thon encourages
bigger-picture thinking and involves field exploration
( L E T ’ S S TA RT O N E N O W… )

16. R E M E M B E R M A D L I B S ?
• Shout out some Activities!
• Next, give us some User Types!
• Finally, let’s have some Improvements!
I F Y O U A R E D O I N G T H I S F O R W O R K ,
M A K E S U R E T O I N C L U D E S O M E
E L E M E N T S T H AT A R E R E L E VA N T T O T H E
P R O B L E M Y O U WA N T T O S O LV E .

17. Activities
Rescuing a cat from
a tree
Brewing beer
Hopscotching
Hottubbing
Bicycling
Watching Star
Wars
Rock climbing
User Types
Angry teenagers
Disgruntled taxi
drivers
Granola-munching
hippies
Professional Circus
performers
Mommy Bloggers
Hipsters
Improvements
More slushy
Softer
More fluid
More tactile
Friendlier
Less stupid
Huggable
More bitter

18. Spark Frame
Make this activity...
Considering these problems...
Considering these problems...
improved in this way (more, less...) for these people:
we’ll spark solution ideas by asking:
CHALLENGE
SPARK
SOLUTION IDEAS
?

19. S PA R K U P A S O L U T I O N !
Break into teams of 2-4 with the folks around you and
discuss your Challenge.
What is good about this situation now? What’s broken?
What do you think are the most urgent problems to
solve?
W H E N Y O U ’ R E D O I N G T H I S F O R - R E A L S Y,
C O M M I T T O A M U LT I - D AY A F FA I R .

20. G E T O U T I N T H E F I E L D

26. Spark Frame
Make this activity...
Considering these problems...
Considering these problems...
improved in this way (more, less...) for these people:
we’ll spark solution ideas by asking:
CHALLENGE
SPARK
SOLUTION IDEAS

29. I N S U M M A RY…
The Problem-Finding Spark-a-Thon is good when your
team is jumping to solutions too quickly.
It encourages bigger-picture thinking and involves field
exploration. It helps with building a more collaborative
team culture around ideating.
Think 80% play and 20% work.

30. S PA R K - A - T H O N T Y P E B
The Problem-Solving Spark-a-Thon develops
collaborative creation and idea refinement

31. R O L E - P L AY

32. P R O V I D E C O N S T R A I N T S

33. G E N E R AT E I D E A S

34. C H O O S E T H E B E S T T O G E T H E R

35. S H O W O F F Y O U R S T U F F

36. I N S U M M A RY…
The Problem-Solving Spark-a-Thon is good when your
team has trouble expanding on ideas and then
choosing the best - saying no to the rest.
It encourages team decision-making and provides
guidance on navigating the uncomfortable aspects of
criticism.
Think 50% play and 50% work.

37. T I P S , T R I C K S & H A C K S :
• These exercises can be used together, or separately
• Try a play warm-up to get people “in the mood”
• Solicit ideas both coming into the activity (or have
some pre-prepared), and after it’s over

38. M A K E T I M E F O R I N T R O S P E C T I O N

39. SPONGE SPARK SPLATTER SCULPT STORYTELL
Choose a design
challenge and
immerse in the
related context.
What do you want to
make better? For
who?
Take insights from
Sponge. Define your
audience and their
needs. Generate the
solution idea you
want to design.
Brainstorm multiple
ideas (quantity over
quality). Explore
possible features
and content.
!
Form and refine
your solution with
user insights and
design strategy.
!
Express the
importance and
meaning of your
solution.
REMEMBER OUR ADVENTURE MAP:

40. T H A N K Y O U !
Y O U ’ V E B E E N A R E A L T R O O P E R !
@chanan
@adventuringanna