Participatory Methods
Business Origami
Business Origami gives teams a repeatable qualitative research practice. It keeps everyone aligned around visualization & communication by helping you modeling complex systems, discovering new possibilities, engaging stakeholders. Grounded in participatory methods, the method turns insight into tangible next steps.
Goal
Visualization & Communication
Group
Qualitative Research
Users
Direct User Involvement
Overview
Business Origami is a hands-on method that uses paper shapes to represent different elements of a business system, such as customers, products, and processes. By physically arranging these shapes, participants can explore complex relationships and workflows. This tangible approach makes abstract concepts more accessible and fosters collaborative problem-solving. Business Origami is particularly valuable in service design and business analysis, where understanding the interplay of various components is crucial.
Step-by-Step Procedure
8 steps to complete
1
Identify the problem and goals
Start by determining the problem to solve or the goal to achieve through Business Origami. Understand the business objectives, user needs, and the situation or context for which the method will be applied.
2
Assemble the team and gather materials
Form a diverse team of stakeholders, designers, and users to work together on the problem. Gather required materials, such as paper cutouts, sticky notes, pens, and a large workspace, to accomplish the workshop session.
3
Define key elements and relationships
Identify key elements in the problem or system, such as users, processes, devices, and environments. Create paper cutouts representing each element, and note down their attributes and relationships on the cutouts.
4
Create a physical model
Construct a physical model by placing and arranging paper cutouts representing various elements on a shared workspace. Explore and discuss different scenarios by rearranging the elements, highlighting connections, and their relationships.
5
Encourage collaboration and discussion
Invite team members to actively engage and participate in modifying or proposing alternative arrangements to the model. Encourage them to analyze the user experience and discuss opportunities or challenges arising from different configurations.
6
Capture and refine the model
Document the physical model, either through photography or digital tools. Refine the model based on insights gathered from discussions and by exploring trade-offs among different arrangements. Record the team's learnings, recommendations, and next steps.
7
Iterate and validate
Iterate on the refined model and re-examine the relationships among the elements to uncover unaddressed issues or opportunities. Validate the refined model with real users or stakeholders to ensure alignment with their needs and business objectives.
8
Translate into actionable insights
Translate the findings from the Business Origami method into actionable insights for UX design or process improvements. Ensure that these insights inform strategic decision-making, design choices, and communication across teams.
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
Business Origami Workshop Plan
A detailed plan outlining the objectives, activities, facilitation methods, and required materials for conducting a Business Origami workshop tailored to the project's specific goals and attendees.
Origami Elements Templates
Customized paper cut-outs representing key components within the system, such as users, tasks, and interfaces. These templates can be used by participants to create their Business Origami diagrams.
System Maps
Visual representations of the current and/or proposed system, created by arranging the origami elements on a large workspace (such as a table or wall) to show the interactions and flows between components.
User Scenarios
Detailed descriptions of how users will interact with the system, derived from insights and patterns identified during the Business Origami process. Scenarios can be used to guide future design and development efforts.
Stakeholder Insights Report
Documentation of findings and patterns identified during the Business Origami workshop, including insights into user needs, pain points, opportunities for improvement, and recommendations for next steps.
Photographic Documentation
High-quality photos capturing the various stages of the Business Origami process, including workshop activities, origami element configurations, and system maps. These images can be used for reference, presentation, and communication purposes.
Related
Explore Similar Methods
Discover research techniques that complement Business Origami and enhance your UX toolkit.
