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Improv prototyping

Improv Prototyping unlocks a dynamic and collaborative way for teams to surface and test innovative solutions - especially for persistent or complex challenges. 
Improv Prototyping enables a group to:
  • Learn and improve rapidly by tapping into three levels of knowledge:
    Explicit knowledge – what participants already know and can articulate.
    Tacit knowledge – insights gained by observing each other’s actions and behaviors.
    Latent knowledge – new ideas that emerge through interaction and co-creation.
  • Transform chronic problems into opportunities by dramatizing and acting out simple, practical solutions.
  • Foster creativity and engagement through a playful, theatrical format that encourages experimentation without fear of failure.
  • Build shared understanding by assembling innovations from small, testable chunks that can be used independently or in combination.
How It Works?
Participants are invited to:
  • Identify a challenge or persistent issue.
  • Create short, improvised sketches that show how small changes or interventions might address the issue.
  • Reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what could be improved.
  • Iterate quickly, incorporating feedback and new ideas.
It’s a seriously fun way to do serious work - ideal for Agile teams, who thrive on continuous learning and adaptive delivery.

  • Time needed

    min 20 minutes

  • Preparation

    1. Miro Board (online) or paper (F2F)
    2. Identify the “players” (volunteers)
    3. If necessary prepare the split for smaller groups (max 4 people)

  • How to start

    1. Invite participants to identify a frustrating chronic challenge in their work, then to playfully experiment, invent, and discover better ways to address the challenge by acting out the situation and possible solutions

  • Step-by-step and timing

    1. Explain what will be done and describe the sequence of steps (2 min)
    2. Set the stage by describing the scenario that will be acted out and the various roles (3 min)
    3. Players on stage enact the scene (3–5 min)
    4. Each small observer group debriefs with 1-2-4-All to identify successful and unsuccessful parts from the scene that they just observed (5 min)
      • Place together the successful parts into a new prototype and volunteers from within the group act out the new prototype for their own group only (5 min)
    5. If the group think they have an improved prototype, volunteer to come on stage and enact their version in front of the whole group (3–5 minutes)
    6. Continue with as many rounds as necessary to arrive at one or more prototypes that are good enough to put into practice.

  • Hints

    1. Be as inclusive as possible: invite everyone in different roles to join in
    2. Consider creating three supporting roles depending on the complexity of the scenario: stage manager, creative director, and facilitator

  • Examples of use

    1. Break a task that seems daunting into smaller pieces
    2. Break through frozen or resistant behaviors

  • Link with other Liberating Structures

    Link with:

    1-2-4-All

    Design storyboards

    Shift and share

    User experience fishbowl

  • Link to Liberating Structures page

    Improv prototyping

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