Inclusive SE Problem-Solving through the LEGO® Serious Play® Methodology

LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) is a technique developed for use in guided workshops in professional environments to prompt dialogue and encourage reflection. It helps groups explore a question from a new perspective and encourages all participants to engage with the discussion through play. According to LEGO®, ‘the methodology is based on the belief that everyone can contribute to the discussion, the decisions and the outcome.’ As the Systems Engineering profession in the UK looks to embrace inclusivity, methods such as these can ensure that everyone has a voice and a contribution to big questions facing the industry.

This tutorial is an interactive demonstration of the LEGO® Serious Play® methodology led by a certified facilitator. Attendees will be in groups of 4 or 5, each assessing a different question using LSP techniques.

The tutorial will:

• Discuss the history and some of the theory behind LEGO® Serious Play®
• Introduce the methodology to the attendees through a warm-up exercise
• Explore the answers to a question, given by the tutor to each group, through
• Individual Models (each group with answer a different question)
• Bring the Individual Models together in each group into Shared Model
• Generate actions from the session based on the Shared Models created by each group

The aim is that attendees will leave the session with an understanding of the LEGO® Serious Play® methodology and its innovative take on exploring problems, having experienced a session for themselves. The questions will also be chosen specifically so that they are relevant to practising Systems Engineering professionals. Questions may include ‘what are the current issues and challenges facing our profession?’ , ‘what additional things can INCOSE UK do to support its members?’ and ‘how can we increase the understanding of the benefits of Systems Engineering more widely in our organisations?’

This tutorial is intended for anyone who wants to explore innovative and inclusive ways to elicit ideas and information from groups about a posed question. Attendees at all career stages and levels of Systems Engineering knowledge are welcome and will benefit from the session.

Potential attendees may have an interest in

• New, creative ways to hold workshops in the workplace
• How to facilitate inclusive discussions and explorations of problems
• Contributing to answering important questions about our profession

The maximum number of attendees for this session is 30 people.

The following materials will be provided to the participants for them to take away from the session:

• An official LEGO® one-person LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Starter Kit, provided on the day
• Summary sheet of the LEGO® Serious Play® Methodology, provided during the session
• Full slide pack provided by email after the session
• Summaries of each groups output, provided by email after the session

Info: Event registration. Networking and Ice-Breaker.

Info: Overview of the day; Your tutors; aims of the tutorial; timings; introduction to the BMI.

Info: What is LEGO® Serious Play®? A brief history of LEGO® Serious Play®. Who uses it and why? Six bricks activity. Why LSP is different from LEGO. The Questions.

Info: The methodology is outlined and delegates carry out a skills-building exercise to familiarise them with LEGO® and the LEGO® Serious Play® Methodology

Info: Delegates produce Individual Models to answer their Group's Question, share their Individual Models with all delegates and capture their Individual Models through photos and videos.

Info: A post-lunch warm-up to get all delegates back into the LSP mind-set.

Info: Each Group will bring their Individual Models together into a Shared Model that answers their Group's Question. Shared Models are shared with all other delegates and are captured through photos and videos.

Info: Each Group reflects on their Shared Model and comes up with a next-step Actions

Info: Summary, questions, more information and ... prizes!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, United Kingdom

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