Participatory Methods
Bodystorming
Bodystorming gives teams a repeatable qualitative research practice. It keeps everyone aligned around generate ideas by helping you generating ideas, simulating user behavior, and encouraging team collaboration through physical engagement. Grounded in participatory methods, the method turns insight into tangible next steps.
Goal
Generate Ideas
Group
Qualitative Research
Users
Direct User Involvement
Overview
Bodystorming is an experiential and immersive brainstorming technique where participants physically act out scenarios and problems. Unlike traditional brainstorming, where ideas are discussed verbally, Bodystorming encourages participants to use their bodies to explore and express concepts. This method is often used in design thinking to generate creative ideas and understand user needs. By physically engaging with a problem, participants can uncover new perspectives, empathize with users, and generate innovative solutions.
Step-by-Step Procedure
9 steps to complete
1
Define the Problem or Scenario
Identify the problem, situation, or experience you want to explore using bodystorming. Clearly define the goals that you aim to achieve through the exploration process.
2
Assemble the Team
Gather a multidisciplinary team with diverse perspectives to participate in the bodystorming session. This team should ideally include representatives from design, development, and the actual end-users.
3
Set Up the Environment
Create a life-like or simulated environment that mimics the context in which the users will interact with the product or service. Effort should be taken to make it as realistic as possible, to promote empathy and understanding of the user experience.
4
Develop Roles and Scenarios
Define the roles and scenarios that the team will enact during the bodystorming session. Allocate roles for each participant, including possible facilitators or observers. Create a narrative that explains the context, actions, and goals for the users in the given scenario.
5
Warm-Up and Rehearsal
Before beginning the actual bodystorming session, conduct a brief warm-up exercise with the participants to familiarize them with the roles, environment, and guidelines. Ensure everyone feels comfortable and is prepared for the session.
6
Bodystorming Session
Conduct the bodystorming session by enacting the roles and scenarios defined earlier. Encourage participants to think and act as real users, verbalizing their thoughts and emotions while experiencing the interaction with the product or service.
7
Capture Insights and Feedback
Throughout the session, the facilitator or observers should document key observations, insights, and feedback generated during the bodystorming process. This information is crucial to improve the design based on user's real-life experiences.
8
Debrief and Reflect
After the session, conduct a group discussion and reflection on the insights gathered. Encourage participants to share their thoughts, emotions, and ideas openly. Identify areas of improvement, potential solutions, and novel ideas for enhancing the user experience.
9
Iterate and Evaluate
Incorporate the feedback and insights from the bodystorming session into the design process. Revisit the scenarios, create new iterations of the design, and evaluate the improvements by conducting additional bodystorming sessions as needed.
Method Complete
Real-World Examples
See how this method is applied in practice
Understanding Deal Discovery Behavior
Research conducted with Groupon users to understand how they discover and evaluate local deals. Participants included frequent buyers in the Food & Drink and Health & Beauty categories, as well as occasional users. The study revealed that users rely heavily on personalized recommendations and location-based filtering, with visual imagery and merchant ratings being key decision factors. Users also expressed interest in occasion-based browsing like "date night deals" or "weekend activities."
Local Merchant Experience Research
Study with restaurant, spa, and fitness business owners to understand their experience with Groupon's merchant platform. Participants included both new merchants in onboarding and experienced merchants running multiple campaigns. Findings showed merchants struggled with understanding optimal pricing strategies, setting deal capacity, and interpreting performance analytics. Many requested competitive benchmarking and seasonal promotion guidance.
Deal Redemption Experience Study
Research with Groupon customers who recently redeemed deals at local businesses. The study focused on the in-person redemption experience, including showing vouchers to merchants, handling booking requirements, and resolving issues. Insights revealed that users felt anxious about merchant acceptance and wanted clearer communication about what to expect during redemption.
Deliverables
What you'll produce from this method
Bodystorming Scenario Outline
A document outlining the different scenarios that will be enacted during the bodystorming session. It will help participants understand the problem space and the tasks they will be performing.
Participant Roles and Responsibilities
A list of participants involved in the bodystorming session, their assigned roles, and a clear definition of their responsibilities. This helps to ensure effective collaboration during the session.
Bodystorming Session Agenda
A detailed schedule of the bodystorming session outlining the timeline, key activities, and allocated time for each activity. This helps keep the session focused and on track.
Physical Space Requirements
A list of required physical spaces or props needed to successfully conduct the bodystorming session, based on the scenarios outlined earlier. This may include objects, furniture, or any environment-specific elements.
Bodystorming Session Recordings
Audio/visual recordings of the bodystorming session to help review and analyze the experience afterward. This can help the team identify patterns or issues that may not have been immediately apparent during the session itself.
Participant Feedback Forms
A form or questionnaire for participants to document their experiences, opinions, and suggestions on the process, as well as any insights or ideas regarding the problem space. This can help identify areas for improvement in future sessions and validate or expand upon findings.
Insight Documentation
A document compiling the key insights, observations, and ideas generated during the bodystorming session. This can be later used for further analysis, design iteration, or as evidence for decision-making.
Bodystorming Session Report
A comprehensive report summarizing the objectives, process, and outcomes of the bodystorming session. This may include key findings, actionable items, and recommendations for next steps. It serves as a valuable reference for stakeholders and team members who weren't present during the session.
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