Design Thinking Methods Catalogue

# Ideate

# Walt Disney Method

Purpose
Finding ideas and solutions
Time required
1 to 3 hours
Participants
Design Thinking team
Level of experience
experienced

# What is it about?

The question is considered and discussed from the three different perspectives of dreamer, realist and critic. This helps to find solutions or concretize goals. This method is also used to evaluate ideas.

# The goal

The question is analyzed in a structured manner using the three different perspectives.

# How to do it?

  1. In preparation for the method, three areas in the room can be designed according to the three perspectives. The area for the dreamer can be bright, colourful, with flowers and playful, while the area for the realist can be equipped with tools and a ruler. The critic's area is designed to be rather plain. It is also possible to design it with photos/pictures that symbolize the respective attitude.
  2. Definition of the problem or question.
  3. The phase of the dreamer or visionary begins. As in a role play, the participants take on the perspective of a dreamer and develop ideas. There are no limits to creativity here, even absurd and unrealistic ideas should be mentioned. The key questions are:
    • What would be completely crazy and outlandish?
    • What would be a dream solution?
  4. This is followed by the perspective of the realist or pragmatist. Here, the ideas are evaluated and concrete measures are developed to realise the ideas. By working out specific steps, this perspective provides an insight into the resources required to achieve the goal. Key questions can be:
    • What do we need for realization?
    • Who is responsible for this?
    • What are we still missing?
  5. The last phase is the perspective of the critic or quality manager. This perspective analyses the measures in terms of weaknesses, risks and obstacles. The use of critical questions results in constructive criticism, which is useful for assessing the measures. Possible questions in this phase:
    • What are the weaknesses of the proposed solution?
    • Where is the risk?
    • Why will the solution not work?
  6. In a further round of the three perspectives, the insights gained can be further refined.

The duration of each phase can be determined individually depending on the context. A guideline is 20 minutes. However, initial ideas can also be developed in five minutes per phase. It is important to record the findings.

# When do you need it?

This method is well suited for developing realistic solutions in the group and benefiting from synergy effects within the group.

# Resources

  • timer
  • whiteboard
  • pens & sticky notes

# Advantages

Uncontrolled switching between idea generation, evaluation and planning is avoided. When generating ideas, the change of perspective also takes their realization into account. Checking the strengths and weaknesses helps to assess the quality of the ideas.

# Disadvantages

Participants may find it difficult to distinguish and adopt the individual perspectives if they are not yet familiar with this method. The method provides solutions that are more suitable for everyday use than innovative ones as the dreamer's approach only works to a limited extent.

# Keep in mind

The Walt Disney method should relate to a central question that deals with a challenge or a goal. If you decide to do a second round, the output of the critic is now the input of the dreamer's perspective.

# See also

Previous methods Alternative methods Following methods

# Sources

← Darkhorse prototype →