Facilitation through
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

What is LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®?

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a facilitated methodology that uses LEGO® as a tool for group communication, problem-solving, and innovation. Developed by the LEGO Group, it is based on the idea that everyone can contribute to the conversation, and that by building and sharing models with others, individuals can better understand complex ideas and concepts.

The process involves a trained facilitator leading a group of individuals through a series of exercises and discussions, where they use LEGO® bricks to represent abstract ideas and concepts. These models are then shared and discussed with the group, allowing for the exploration of different perspectives and the development of a shared understanding.

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® has been used in a variety of settings, from team building and leadership development to innovation and strategy planning. It is particularly effective in situations where traditional methods of communication and problem-solving may not be effective, such as in complex or ambiguous situations where there is no clear right or wrong answer.

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The LEGO® Brick

When you hear the word LEGO® thoughts often turn to the humble 2x4 brick. However, there are almost 4,000 different LEGO® elements that are currently in production. This provides an almost infinite number of possibilities when it comes to putting them together. If fact, just six 2x4 LEGO® bricks can be combined in 915,103,765 ways.

Although the classic use of LEGO® is to build models within a tangible world, the bricks in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® are used to build stories about the intangible world. The bricks, and the models that they form, become metaphors that can be joined together to create a landscape that tells the story.

Each LEGO® piece used could have a meaning depending its type, size, colour and/or location. It is through the discussions that take place that those meanings are understood and shared.

Ice Breakers and Introduction to LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

At the beginning of a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® session, it is important to understand and get a feeling for the bricks that you will be using.

Whether you are asked to build a tower, or 'What the Duck?', we help participants understand the value that comes from using LEGO® as part of a wider team or organisational activity.

Understanding Processes and Polices using the LEGO® Flow Game

The LEGO® Flow Game was developed by Karl Scotland and Dr Sallyann Freudenberg as a fun exercise to compare and contrast different approaches to processes, with respect to how work flows through a system.

We have used the LEGO® Flow Game under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License with teams to introduce the concepts to Kanban and Scrum, as well as understanding team processes and polices.

Read about how we tweaked the game to build animals for a LEGO® zoo here.

Scrum Simulation

While the LEGO® Flow Game can be used help teams to understand the processes and policies that they follow, it is also possible to run a Scrum simulation for single or multiple teams.

The Scrum simulations allows you to consider, discuss and practice the implementation of Scrum Roles, Scrum Events and Scrum Artefacts, along with other agile ways of working. These include, but are not limited to:-

Writing user stories
Sizing user stories
Prioritisation methods
Forecasting
Metrics
Definition of Ready, Defintion of Done and Working Agreements

What other topics can be covered?

The versatility of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® allows it to be adapted to virtually any topic or challenge that involves creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. The hands-on, experiential nature of the methodology makes it particularly effective for engaging participants and unlocking their full potential. This includes, but is not limited to:-

Team Building and Communication: Explore team dynamics, improve communication, enhancing collaboration, and build trust among team members.

Strategic Planning: Develop a strategic vision, set goals, identify obstacles, and create action plans for organisational growth and success.

Innovation and Creativity: Stimulate creative thinking, generate innovative ideas, and foster a culture of experimentation and risk-taking.

Change Management: Manage organisational change, address resistance, and finding solutions to navigate transitions effectively.

Leadership Development: Explore leadership styles, strengths, and areas for improvement, as well as developing leadership skills and qualities.

Problem-Solving and Decision Making: Analyse complex problems, identify root causes, brainstorm solutions, and make informed decisions collaboratively.

Organisational Culture and Values: Explore organisational culture, values, and identity, aligning them with strategic objectives.

Customer Experience and Service Design: Understand customer needs, map customer journeys, and design products/services that meet/exceed expectations.

Product Development and Innovation: Develop new products or improve existing ones by engaging stakeholders in the design process, fostering creativity.

Personal Development and Self-Reflection: Explore personal goals, values, strengths, and aspirations, and gain insights into individual growth and development.

Coaching: Self-reflection, explore relationships and perspectives, overcome limiting beliefs and build confidence and resilience.