Client: The Internet of Caring Things [IOCT] is a programme developed by the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), jointly funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and Newcastle University, backed up by the technical support of the Centre for Process and Innovation (CPI).

It brings together world-leading research and data-driven innovation with a team of academic, technical and entrepreneurial professionals who have a clear sense of purpose and a wealth of hands-on experience.

Overview: To deliver a Lego Serious Play workshop to a group of 10 staff members and associates. The aim being to demonstrate the methodology while uncovering hidden assumptions and tensions. The workshop used a series of trigger questions:

Q1:Build a model that shows the value that you are bringing to your client base.

Q2:Build a model that represents the core purpose of your startup and the value it creates.

Q3:What pain point does your product solve? Show it in a build.

Q4:Build a model of the biggest threat to your idea right now.

The models were then connected to create an ecosystem / landscape to add greater depth and to prompt further discussion.

Why the method works:

Lego Serious Play is not:

• Icebreaker playtime

• About artistic skill

• About “who builds best”

• Childish

Lego Serious Play is:

• Structured

• Purposeful

• Facilitated

• Innovative

Testimonial from an attendee:

Yesterday, I had the chance to think with my hands.

The LEGO SERIOUS PLAY method can generate mixed reactions:

“Isn’t that a bit silly?”
“Sounds like a waste of time.”
“So… you’re just playing with Lego?”

But after experiencing it myself, I can confidently say: it’s insightful, inspiring, fun and IT WORKS!

The methodology is based on research across business, psychology and learning sciences, which shows that we often understand by building, not just by thinking.

Take the prompt: “Build a tower with you in it.”
Your mind imagines a perfect Lego structure. Your hands, however, will do something different. Especially when you only have ten oddly shaped bricks. Suddenly, the model you build reveals fresh perspectives.

And when the challenge becomes:
“Build a pain point your organisation is trying to solve for your customers.”

You can use these fresh perspectives to blend imagination and creativity into something new.