Idea Card
One idea written up on one page
- PhaseIdeate
- Group1 to 15 people
- Time25 minutes
- SettingRoom or remote
- ExecutivesYes
What it is
An idea card describes one idea on one page: its name, who it is for, how it works, what the AI solution does and does not do, what the person does, the data and approvals needed, what happens when it is wrong, and the non-AI alternative that was considered. It makes an idea concrete enough to compare with others and short enough to read in a minute.
When to use it
After generating, to make a shortlist of ideas comparable before selecting.
When to skip it
For every idea. Write cards only for the shortlist of three to six.
How to run it
- 5 minChoose three to six ideas to develop.
- 15 minIn pairs, complete a card for each idea.
- 5 minPost the cards on the wall, side by side.
About 25 minutes of method time. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
What to watch for
Describing the technology and not the person’s step. Leaving out the risk. Cards written to sell, not to compare.
The AI lens
State what the AI solution does, what the person does, what data it needs, what happens when it is wrong, and the non-AI alternative.
What you leave with
Three to six shortlisted ideas, each on a card that can be compared.
An example
Three ideas from a workshop each get an Idea Card, so that the group compares three comparable pages, not a loud pitch, a vague sentence and a sketch.
How it compares
An Idea Card describes one idea. A Concept Poster, used when prototyping, pitches the idea to the people who would use it.
Related methods
Questions
What is Idea Card?
An idea card describes one idea on one page: its name, who it is for, how it works, what the AI solution does and does not do, what the person does, the data and approvals needed, what happens when it is wrong, and the non-AI alternative that was considered. It makes an idea concrete enough to compare with others and short enough to read in a minute.
When should I use Idea Card?
After generating, to make a shortlist of ideas comparable before selecting.
How long does Idea Card take and how many people do I need?
Idea Card takes about 25 minutes and suits 1 to 15 people, plus a facilitator. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
How is Idea Card different from other methods?
An Idea Card describes one idea. A Concept Poster, used when prototyping, pitches the idea to the people who would use it.
Can I run Idea Card remotely or with executives?
Yes. Idea Card works in the room or remotely. Remotely, put the canvas on a shared board in advance and write silently in the board, not in chat. Executives: Yes, works with executives present.