Design Thinking Methods Catalogue

# Ideate

# 6-3-5 Method

Purpose
To generate ideas in a group
Time required
20 to 30 minutes
Participants
Design Thinking team (1 moderator, 6 participants)
Level of experience
Beginner

# What is it about?

With the 6-3-5 method, a large number of ideas for solving a given problem can be created within a team of 6 people. The ideas are developed together: each participant gives first 3 proposals, which are extended by the others within 5 iterations.

# The goal

The aim is to collectively develop as many ideas as possible for the given problem. The point is not the maturity of the ideas, but rather the quantity of the approaches and the integration of the whole group with the aim of discovering new creative ways to solve the problem.

# How to do it?

  1. Phrase the problem you are dealing with in a concise sentence on the whiteboard.
  2. Each participant receives a sheet of paper with an empty table (3 columns with 6 rows each).
  3. For the first line each participant writes down 3 ideas to solve the problem.
  4. After 3 minutes, the sheets are passed clockwise to the next person.
  5. Everyone now tries to develop the existing ideas and write down 3 new ideas.
  6. Steps 4 and 5 are run five times until all lines are filled.
  7. The group analyses, evaluates and discusses the results together.

# When do you need it?

The 6-3-5 method is useful when new and innovative problem-solving ideas are allowed and needed. For example, when old structures and methods are to be broken. It is expressly not necessary that the team is familiar with the problem area, because new and unusual ways of thinking can better help to solve the problem.

# Resources

  • 6 Sheets with blank tables (3 columns with 6 rows each)

# Advantages

With the 6-3-5 method, many new ideas can be generated quickly in a structured manner and existing ones can be further developed. In addition, the creative potential of people who are more reserved in open group situations can be captured through individual work.

# Disadvantages

There is a risk that only known ideas will be taken up and documented. It is also necessary to revise the mostly superficial ideas.

# Keep in mind

The results are produced within a short period of time and are therefore seldom mature or can even lead to nothing. In particular, they serve as a pointer for the further development of ideas.

# See also

Previous methods Alternative methods Following methods

# Sources

← Bodystorming →