Pains and Gains Board
Frustrations and wins, side by side
- PhaseUnderstand
- Group4 to 25 people
- Time30 minutes
- SettingRoom or remote
- ExecutivesYes
What it is
A pains and gains board collects the frustrations and the wins of the people doing the work, side by side. It shows what to fix and also what to protect, which matters when an AI solution could remove something people value.
When to use it
To open a workshop with a positive and a negative, or to compare how different roles see the same work.
When to skip it
When the group is cautious about naming pains aloud. Use anonymous written notes first.
How to run it
- 10 minSilent notes: what hurts in this work, and what works well. One idea per note.
- 10 minPost the notes and cluster.
- 10 minVote on the three pains to remove and the three gains to protect.
About 30 minutes of method time. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
What to watch for
A list of complaints with no gains. Gains show what to protect when work changes.
The AI lens
Ask which gains an AI solution could damage. Good habits and informal checks are easy to lose.
What you leave with
Ranked pains and gains. The gains become things the design must protect.
An example
Staff at a clinic list their pains, such as retyping referral letters, and their gains, such as the five minutes of real conversation with a patient. The gains tell the team what the AI solution must not take away.
How it compares
A Pains and Gains Board is quick and works with larger groups. An Empathy Map goes deeper on one person.
Related methods
Questions
What is Pains and Gains Board?
A pains and gains board collects the frustrations and the wins of the people doing the work, side by side. It shows what to fix and also what to protect, which matters when an AI solution could remove something people value.
When should I use Pains and Gains Board?
To open a workshop with a positive and a negative, or to compare how different roles see the same work.
How long does Pains and Gains Board take and how many people do I need?
Pains and Gains Board takes about 30 minutes and suits 4 to 25 people, plus a facilitator. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
How is Pains and Gains Board different from other methods?
A Pains and Gains Board is quick and works with larger groups. An Empathy Map goes deeper on one person.
Can I run Pains and Gains Board remotely or with executives?
Yes. Pains and Gains Board 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.