Do nothing

Overview

What would happen if you did nothing? Exploring this question gives us the chance to clarify activities and sift out those that simply MUST be done. This is an exercise in testing plans, examining how effective they are, and understanding what might actually be unnecessary.

Benefits

'Do Nothing' is best completed as a team, so as to develop a shared understanding of problems and solutions. Good for framing ideas, this approach will clarify why particular actions and solutions are most appropriate. Ideal for tackling difficult barriers.

Preparation

• Familiarise yourself with the activity to ensure it goes to plan. Prepare a project 'Aim' and 'Actions' summary that you can write up on the flip chart.

Materials

• Flip chart paper and different coloured marker pens.

What you do

• Write the project aim in the centre of the flip chart, and add the main activities around the project aim - leaving space for more notes later.
• Discuss the aim amongst the group, exploring any areas of uncertainty. Take notes to capture the shared understanding.
• Start a group discussion about what would happen if these planned activities didn't happen. Ask the group to be realistic and both positive and negative. Then write what the group thinks around the edges (in a different colour).
• Review the new notes on the flip chart and pose the question to each action in turn:
  ''If we don't do this, will it prevent us achieving our objective?''
  Prioritise the actions into 2 categories:
  Tick: vital to success/will help to achieve aim.
  Cross (X): doesn't help.
• Annotate on the flip chart paper with ticks or crosses and add on any supporting notes.
• Make further notes about specific actions needed to enhance Tick actions or to make Cross actions more relevant.
• Use this session to update your planned activities with more effective ones.

Top tips for your group activities

• Be well prepared
• Consider changing your usual meeting environment
• Know what you want to come away with before you start
• Break the ice with a warm up
• Give people enough time to get into and do the activities
• Keep people engaged and motivated
• Encourage and proactively get input from everyone
• Think about how your going to capture the notes
• Use flip charts, coloured post its, coloured pens, paper, stickers
• If possible use a flexible and effective facilitator

Further information

This technique is described by Brian Clegg in his book:'Crash Course in Creativity' (Year 2002, ISBN: 0749438339).

Example chart