Provocations Exercise
Duration: 2-3 hours
Participants: Cross-functional team (designers, developers, product managers, leadership)
Purpose: Uncover deeply-held design beliefs by challenging assumptions and stimulating debate
WORKSHOP FLOW
01 Introduction (15 minutes)
Explain workshop purpose: using provocative statements to reveal core design beliefs
Set ground rules for constructive disagreement and respectful debate
Emphasize there are no "right" answers - the goal is to uncover authentic positions
Frame the session as exploration rather than decision-making
02 Warming Up: Personal Provocations (20 minutes)
Ask participants to write personal provocative design statements
Prompt: "What design belief would you defend even if others disagree?"
Each person shares one provocative statement
Brief discussion without attempting to resolve disagreements
03 Provocative Statements Exercise (60 minutes)
Present pre-prepared provocative statements one by one
For each statement:
Participants individually vote: Strongly Agree / Agree / Neutral / Disagree / Strongly Disagree
Reveal voting results
Ask volunteers from opposing positions to explain their reasoning
Facilitate discussion to explore underlying values (not to reach consensus)
Document key points, especially recurring themes
Move to next statement after 7-10 minutes
04 Identifying Core Beliefs (30 minutes)
Review notes from discussions
Ask participants to identify recurring themes and values
Cluster similar beliefs
Discuss which beliefs feel most fundamental to the team's approach
05 Manifesto Statement Development (30 minutes)
Break into small groups (3-4 people)
Each group drafts 2-3 potential manifesto statements based on core beliefs
Groups share statements with the entire team
Discuss which statements most authentically represent the collective position
06 Synthesis and Next Steps (15 minutes)
Identify the strongest manifesto statements for further development
Discuss how these statements could guide design decisions
Agree on the format and timeline for finalizing the manifesto
Assign responsibilities for the next steps
REQUIRED TOOLS & MATERIALS
Physical Workshop Tools
Large whiteboard or wall space
Sticky notes (multiple colors)
Voting cards (agree/disagree) or colored dot stickers
Flip charts or large paper for recording discussions
Markers and pens
Timer for managing discussion periods
Prepared provocation statement cards
Digital Workshop Tools (for remote/hybrid sessions)
Video conferencing platform with breakout rooms
Digital whiteboard (Miro, Mural, FigJam)
Digital polling tool (built into whiteboard or separate)
Shared document for note-taking
Chat function for adding thoughts during discussions
PREPARATION MATERIALS
10-15 provocative design statements
Workshop agenda
Guidance on constructive debate
Examples of existing design manifestos for reference
WORKSHOP DELIVERABLES
Immediate Deliverables (Day of Workshop)
Raw Belief Collection: Notes from all discussions
Prioritized Beliefs: Visual representation of most resonant beliefs
Draft Manifesto Statements: Initial statements created in small groups
Discussion Themes: Key patterns that emerged during debates
Post-Workshop Deliverables (1-3 days after)
Belief and Values Summary including:
Key design beliefs that emerged from discussions
Supporting rationales for each belief
Areas of strong consensus and constructive tension
Draft Manifesto Document including:
5-7 bold, clear statements that represent core design beliefs
Brief explanations for each statement
Examples of how each manifesto point would apply in practice
Implementation Plan outlining:
Process for finalizing the manifesto
Communication strategy for sharing with the wider organization
Methods for applying manifesto to design decisions
WORKSHOP FACILITATION REQUIREMENTS
Primary facilitator comfortable with managing productive debate
Note-taker to capture discussion points
Timekeeper to maintain discussion pace
A safe environment where disagreement is welcomed