Facilitation Instructions

Purpose

Solve in Time! is a collaborative problem-solving activity. Its purpose is to come up with creative solutions to a real and relevant problem within a set time limit. Note that a problem is defined as a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.

Preparation

A facilitator will need the following resources to run a session of Solve in Time!

  1. Room for up to six small groups of 2-4 per team
  2. Solve in Time!® cards or dice (up to 24 participants per set)
  3. Visible timer for groups to pace themselves
  4. At least one device with internet access per team
  5. Optional capturing tools team (Response sheet or other tool, dry erase boards, markers, sticky notes, etc.)

Process

Each team follows the process by responding to each step in order:

🟥 Problem >  🟪 Research > 🟦 Understand > 🟨 Solve > 🟩 Share

🟧 *SOS is an optional help card that can only be used once by each team at any point in the process. This card reminds players to collaborate and use all resources at their disposal before asking for help. If assistance is still needed from the facilitator, the group can use their SOS card.

Managing Your Time

There are two ways to facilitate Solve in Time! within a limited time frame:

Option 1: The facilitator sets the time and allows groups to move at their own pace to complete the steps within the given time frame.

Option 2: The facilitator can pace the process by displaying a timer for each step and extending the time on the final step to give teams time to prepare their solutions to share:

  • 15 min total= 🟥 2 min, 🟪 3 min, 🟦 3 min, 🟨 2 min, 🟩 5 min
  • 20 min total= 🟥 2 min, 🟪 3 min, 🟦 3 min, 🟨 2 min, 🟩 10 min
  • 25 min total= 🟥 2 min, 🟪 3 min, 🟦 3 min, 🟨 2 min, 🟩 15 min

As teams work through the process, the facilitator can float to each group listening for collaboration and critical thinking, and interject with questions if the team seems like they are giving low-level responses, are stuck, or all voices are not being heard. The facilitator can interject whether or not the team requests help via the SOS card.

Next Steps

👏Your team prototypes have been shared, now what? Kuddos are given to each team for their shared solutions! There are no winners or losers in this activity, only celebrations for collaborative problem-solving. Some teams may choose to put their ideas to the test by creating action plans or conducting additional research with others that are affected by the problem they seek to solve.

If you would like additional support in action-planning and coaching, contact me @deelanier or email dee@solveintime.

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