3 Evaluate and select other DIY tools

The Creative Workshop as presented here and in the DIY Toolkit is a framework planning tool. When it comes to delivering the Creative Workshop, you can populate the steps with your own activities or you can use other DIY tools, as the template has done with Personas. Below are some suggestions of DIY tools that you might use at each step of the Creative Workshop.

Personas – I want to know the people I'm working with by visualising their key characteristics (use when deciding focus areas and where it is helpful to know who the session is focused on).

Promises & Potential Map – I want to know the people I'm working with by defining how my offering is new to them (use when sharing interim progress, regrouping and sharing progress, as well as building further).

Business Model Canvas – I want to develop a clear plan on how to grow my idea into something bigger (use when building further).

Theory of Change – I want to clarify my priorities by defining my goals and the path to reach them (use when building further).

Figure 5 represents how you can ‘shop’ for tools to support and enrich your Creative Workshop.

Cartoon of a man standing in front of a shelving unit with objects on or next to it including packages labelled ‘Problem Definition’, ‘Theory of Change’, ‘Evidence Planning’, ‘Business Model Canvas’ and a ladder with label attached ‘Question Ladder’. The man is also holding a shopping basket in one hand containing packages labelled ‘Promises & Potential Map’ and ‘Fast Idea Generator’ and is holding a package labelled ‘Personas’ in his other hand.
Figure 5 Shopping in the DIY toolkit shop is free!

Activity 5

Timing: Allow around 25 minutes for this activity

Decide which of the DIY tools are most appropriate for your purposes. The nine most downloaded DIY tools have been included in the list below to help you to customise your Creative Workshop. Click on ‘Reveal discussion’ underneath each tool to read a little about it. If you decide it will be useful, make a note of it. Select at least three tools.

a. Evidence Planning

Discussion

I want to look ahead by defining the outcomes from my work.

b. SWOT Analysis

Discussion

I want to develop a clear plan by evaluating how I am doing and what my options are.

c. Business Model Canvas

Discussion

I want to develop a clear plan on how to grow my idea into something bigger.

d. Building Partnerships Map

Discussion

I want to develop a clear plan for working with other groups that have the same vision as me.

e. Problem Definition

Discussion

I want to clarify my priorities by focusing on key critical issues.

f. Theory of Change

Discussion

I want to clarify my priorities by defining my goals and the path to reach them.

g. Question Ladder

Discussion

I want to collect inputs from others by getting to the heart of what motivates people.

h. Personas

Discussion

I want to know the people I'm working with by visualising their key characteristics.

i. Fast Idea Generator

Discussion

I want to generate new ideas by thinking differently.

I hope you now have a selection of tools with which you are happy. Remember: if you find that any of the tools do not meet your expectations, you can choose another.

2.7 Plan your own workshop

Summary