3.18 Labs

The Core Process

The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method uses the same core process in each of the seven application techniques. The core process is designed to help participants quickly unlock new knowledge, and share that knowledge with others.

A small model beside a handwritten sheet of questions about it
A participant’s model and the questions the group asked of it — “Does it have a bottom? Can it be steered? Does it have a control panel?” The questions are where the sharing step does its work.

  1. Pose the Question

    I start by asking a simple question — something like "Build a model that represents your nightmare meeting." Think of it as a prompt; it isn't always phrased as a question.

  2. Construction

    Participants build models in response to the prompt, generally with limited time — a few minutes. The purpose isn't to build elaborate, perfectly constructed models, but to make something that can be used metaphorically, to draw a comparison.

  3. Sharing

    Participants share what they built with their partners, table groups or the whole room. They use the metaphorical model to tell their own story. The beauty of everyone being required to share is that everyone's story gets told correctly, at least once. Participants can ask questions about one another's models.

  4. Reflect

    This happens throughout the process, and often long after the workshop is over. Reflecting on what they built, and why, is where the real learning happens.