Tag Archives: post it

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Post It for creating highly effective and fun workshops

We talked about Post It note as my Swiss Knife tool, and I introduced you to several interesting uses. It can be used as a Doodling canvas as well as Yellow Card to short circuit an unnecessary, unwanted discussion. And THE most important use is as Note taking tool. Let’s look at Post It as a tool that can help you create effective and fun presentations and workshops.

Last year, I was engaged by a client in Ohio area, to jump start their Agile journey. As a first step towards that, we wanted to train the staff of 300+ people. Not only we wanted to give them basics of Agile but we also wanted them to experience those events and artifacts while in the workshop. So, we decided to do one week long workshops: Two days of classroom training and three days of ‘experience’ where they go through Release planning and be ready to start their first sprint from the following week.

To create the presentation deck for this workshop. We started with a brainstorming session: four coaches in a room with long wall, several multi color post it notes, and thinking hats on.

Starting with just a Straw man structure of the workshop; listing the days as columns and breaking each day in four sessions; each session having a main topic.

We iterated through this a few times. With each iteration adding additional post-it notes with a different color, focused on different aspect of the workshop. We added topic details (sub topics) on a different color Post Its, and then in the next iteration, added Games and fun activities using yet another color.  Here is what our Whiteboard looked like after end of this ‘ideation’ session.post it
We used this outline as a starting point for creating presentation deck in electronic form. Post Its enabled us, the four coaches, to bring together their expertise and experience, working collaboratively to create a fun and engaging workshop.

Oh! by the way, this workshop was hugely successful!

What are the ways you have used Post Its? What are the other techniques you have used to create fun and engaging workshops? Share your thoughts in the comment below.

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PostIt for taking notes

Take notes, while still being part of the conversation

We talked about the WHYs of Post It notes in the earlier post. I have used this simple tool many different ways in my quest to transform organizations to deliver value.

I have used Post It notes as my ‘Swiss Knife’, bending it in many different ways to meet my needs as an Enterprise Transformation Coach. For me, Agile is not about complaining (as to what you don’t have) but making the most of what you have been given. It is all about being resourceful!

Let me introduce you to several ways I have used this simple tool in my quest to transform organizations to deliver value. I guarantee that you will have new insights and new found respect for this tool:

Here is the first and THE most important role Post-It plays in my world.

Taking notes: 

I almost always walk around with Sharpie pen and a pad of PostIt notes. When I am having discussions or conversations, I am taking notes, capturing important points and action items. PostIt allows me to take the notes while still being part of the conversation. This is comforting and ensuring at the same time for my client.

It is calming to see you write on your PostIts. For me, it is a confirmation that you are listening, and there will be a follow through (on action items identified) -AP

I have, in fact, developed my own ‘short hand’ language that allows me to capture the essence of the discussion, quickly without any distraction [more on it in a separate blog post]

Did you think of using it in this fashion? If you have, what has been the response from your colleagues? Share your experience in the comments section below.

 

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PostIt as a Yellow Card

In this series of Blog posts on 5 unique uses of PostIt notes, so far we talked about using Post It for Doodling and Visual note taking. Let’s talk about another unique way to use it.

In the (controlled) chaotic world of Agile, we are always looking for ways to have everyone participate in the ongoing discussions in the room. We are looking to have collaborative sessions where everyone brings in their view points.

When you have more than two people in the room, it is very easy to get off-track. We need a ‘referee’ to keep things moving in the right direction and stay the course. Unlike Soccer where only referee can raise the Yellow flag, we can empower entire team with this Yellow card.

Showing Yellow Card-Nimesh Soni-Agile-Scrum-Transformation

This acts as a visual indicator and anyone in the room can raise it, if they feel that:

  • the conversation is off-track and we are wasting everyone’s time
  • conversation does not help us get to the goal we set out for in the beginning of the session
  • the conversation is going into ‘weeds’
  • S/he needs to break the conversation to give everyone a pause and ensure being on track

The team member has to briefly explain the reasoning for raising the Yellow card and request the team to get back to the appropriate discussions.

Often times, the out come of raising a Yellow card is additional items going on to the Parking Lot. Agile teams generally should have yellow Post It notes handy, and being agile, you make the most of what you are given. So, I came up with this idea of (re) using yellow Post It notes as Yellow card.

In a collaborative session that we want to have, you need every one to actively participate, yet stay on the central topic of the discussion. it is easier said than done! This is a simple concept, yet, very effective tool to aid the team and keep the communication and collaboration on the right track, making the sessions more productive for the team.

It improves productivity, enhances collaboration within team, as well as helps build the chemistry and trust among team members. It also helps those who are ‘soft spoken’, those ‘introverts’ in a sense that it provides them a tool to voice their concerns.

Go ahead, and make your next session very productive. Don’t be afraid to use it!

Yellow Card

Use this Yellow Card to keep your #collaboration sessions on track! pic.twitter.com/LSVuPV7TPo #scrum #transformation Click To Tweet
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Doodling and Visual note taking on ever extending canvas

We talked about Post It notes as my Swiss Knife tool, and I introduced you to the first and THE most important use; that being the Note taking tool.

Today, I want to talk about using it as a Canvas. I have two passions in my life: the Agile Transformation and the Art. The artist within me likes to doodle, and I often come up with some quick illustrations to provide visuals on a topic that I am going to be discussing or presenting. As they say, Picture is worth a thousand words. Here are some of my Agile Doodles.

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And, if you are into visual note taking, PostIt notes can also morph into an ever extending canvas. Here is an example.

 

Visual Note taking with (ever extending) Post It canvas

 

This was done by a student in one of a workshop on ‘Jump start your Agile teams’, capturing notes about what is Agile and Scrum, all using Post It notes and Visual note taking.

All right, let’s summarize: We discussed three uses of the Post-It notes so far:

  • Taking notes during discussion and conversations; while still actively participating in them
  • Canvas for doodling
  • Ever extending canvas for Visual Notetaking

Go ahead, start doodling! And, share your many ways you use Post Its in the comments section below.

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5 unique uses of PostIt notes

What is so special about this simple, non-assuming tool? Do you know these unique uses of PostIt notes that can help you improve your effectiveness and Productivity?

PostIt note pad is my Swiss Knife as I help enterprises transform to Agile. They can help you in delivering an impactful message that increases creativity and collaboration, leading to higher productivity.

Swiss Knife

As Simon Sinek, author of the book “Start with Why“, let’s explore the reasons why this is a very compelling tool and why I am so passionate about it 🙂

the WHYs of PostIt

In the world of smartphones and smartwatches, you might have overlooked this simple, not so sexy tool. I would, in fact, argue that you don’t want smart tools, instead, you just want to use a tool smartly. Here are some of the reasons why I am so passionate about it.

 

Many uses of PostIts

Many uses of PostIt.. pic.twitter.com/Rvrf6km9eM #transformation #Agile #scrum Click To TweetAre you using this ‘secret’ tool effectively?

Over the next few days, through a series of posts, I want to re-introduce you this tool. I promise you that you will learn many sides of it that you have not even thought of using it for.

Disclaimer:
Post It is a registered trademark of 3M. And, no, I do not own stocks of 3M. 🙁

Next Article in this series:

Visual note taking

PostIt as Yellow card

Note taking with PostIt pad