The BUILD Problem Lab series
On the 25th of February, we hosted our first ever problem lab. We had folks join from Mexico, Argentina, Kenya, The Netherlands and more. The idea was simple. One person brings a problem and everyone else helps brainstorm solutions.
The problem: How to get more people in my network to actually engage and collaborate? How to we move from a hub and spoke model, aka one person organises everything to a more organic/emergent model?
It felt like a lot of participants shared the same sentiment—we know collaboration is vital to building collective power and changing systems…. but it often leaves us feeling underwhelmed and frustrated. We have been told to co-create and let the strategy emerge but sometimes that just means that the whole project stalls.
And I think this is important to recognise.
To expect working with a wide range of stakeholders to be friction-free is like expecting to be happy everyday. It sets us up for failure. That being said, it doesn’t mean we are doomed to host working groups where nothing happens forever.
It’s a bit meta but one the best ways that I know to help people to collaborate is to set up a “problem hacking session” or problem lab. Helping each other is a fast track to build trust and understanding, which leads to even more collaboration.
I have included the exact agenda that I used below but feel free to adapt as needed.
How to run a Problem Lab
Introductions- (10 minutes) Everyone shares one thing they are excited about either in work or outside of work.
Side note on introductions: I think it’s important for everyone in the room to know each other but there is nothing worse than wasting half of the session with everyone listing their CV. Keep it light, keep it quick, give everyone a starting point for chatting.
The problem - (15 minutes) The person bringing the problem outlines the challenge they are facing, giving background as needed because we have a lot of industries represented. The group asked clarifying questions as needed
Mini labs - (15 minutes) I split the session into groups of 4 people each (I think 4-5 people is the optimal breakout room size). Each group had a corresponding section in the google doc to write notes.
Reflections and Rapid Coordination - We came back to the main room to share suggestions, then held “rapid coordination” - aka asks and offers, this is a nice way to close the session and give the group ways to keep engaging. Organically, folks posted their contact info and asks and offers in the google doc, next time, I’ll just include that in the instructions.
The only stipulation, let us know how it goes and if you have any suggestions for how to make it better!
