Thinkit in action

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Thinkit for Business: HMG Paints and Milliken Industrials (2003)

Thinkit was used to manage a workshop to explore ideas for developing a long-term sustainability vision for North Manchester, sponsored by HMG Paints. The event was attended by business professionals, academics/researchers and representatives of local organisations, such as North Manchester Partnerships (Economic Development) and Groundwork. The aim was to explore the development trajectories of local businesses and develop ideas for improvement. Several participants commented that the dialogue exceeded their expectations and challenged them to rethink how their business operates.

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Thinkit for Communities: Harpurhey and Moston, North Manchester (2003)

Between February and June 2003, Thinkit was used to encourage dialogue and decision-making in a programme of workshops with local residents and public/private sector organisations to develop future visions for the Irk Valley, North Manchester. This was a research project based at the University of Manchester, in partnership with the Mersey Basin Campaign and the Irk Valley Project. The aim was to encourage community and stakeholder participation in planning.

Over 50 stakeholders took part in the programme, ranging from the Forestry Commission and Environment Agency, to employees of local businesses, community groups and individual residents. This work led to the production of a strategic vision for North Manchester, as well as a landscape plan for Moston Vale (a 22 hectare site); the latter of which has since been implemented, with £1.6 million funding secured. More information is available at www.holocene.net/irk.htm

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Thinkit for Local Government: Manchester City Council

Green City Network (2006)

A team from the Centre for Urban and Regional Ecology (CURE) at the University of Manchester facilitated two workshops at the Green City Network Launch Conference, held at the City of Manchester Stadium. Thinkit was used to manage and record discussion of the different aspects of the Network, including existing activities and assets, as well as new ideas and future opportunities.

The discussion involved over 100 participants, working in teams of around eight people per kit. Over 1,300 new ideas were generated and prioritised. All of this information was recorded in a database and used to develop a framework and direction for the Network. Feedback from the event was very positive, with many participants citing the Thinkit workshops as being among the most interesting aspects of the day.

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Tree Strategy (2006)

Thinkit was used by Manchester-based consultants, Countryscape, to help facilitate a one-day event designed to explore ideas for developing the city’s Tree Strategy. The consultants were called upon by the City Council at short notice and therefore required a solution ‘out of the box’ – something that could be easily set up and used with confidence. Approximately 100 people took part in the event, which proved highly successful in terms of both people’s satisfaction and the delivery of results (over 600 comments were recorded, roughly half of which represented new ideas to take the strategy forward). Countryscape continues to use Thinkit as part of its event management service.

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Biodiversity Strategy (2005)

This day-long workshop for stakeholders to provide input into Manchester’s Biodiversity Strategy was hosted by Manchester City Council at the Manchester Museum of Science and Technology. 30 stakeholders from Manchester and its region attended the workshop. The use of Thinkit helped to keep the discussion positive, despite several potential areas of conflict amongst the delegates. The fact that the discussion generated more useful ideas than problems is a testament to the use of Thinkit as a tool for delivering positive results.

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Thinkit for Policy Consultation: The Environment Agency (2004)

Thinkit was used under contract to the Environment Agency in developing a series of workshops to discuss the River Basin Planning Strategy (which sets out how the requirements of the European Union Water Framework Directive are to be met). This work involved bringing together a broad range of stakeholders, including farmers, wildlife organisations, water companies, ports’ authorities and government agencies. In total, over 120 people attended five regional events.

Thinkit proved instrumental in encouraging open discussion between participants and Environment Agency staff. It was used to both foster and record this dialogue, and to enable people to think creatively about this challenging policy (ie. implementing the EU Water Framework Directive).

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Thinkit for Conferences and Events

Thinkit has been widely used to manage discussion sessions at conferences and other events. It can help to liven-up debate, as well as introduce elements of interactivity and fun.

For example: Thinkit was used in the ‘break out’ space at the UK Systems Society International Conference (St Anne’s College, Oxford, 2004). Delegates were asked to provide feedback on a topic of discussion, the results of which were displayed by attaching the finished kits to the walls of the venue. A quick and simple solution that captured people’s attention, and allowed participants to build a ‘big picture’ of the debate within minutes.

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Thinkit for Research and Focus Groups

Thinkit is an ideal tool for managing focus groups and other consultations. It offers a tried-and-tested method that helps participants to express their ideas - even those who find it difficult to talk in front of groups. It is also highly portable and can be used just about anywhere - on a tabletop, hung on wall, outdoors in a park - and without the need for batteries, cables and other limitations.

For example: Thinkit is being used to manage focus groups for several research projects at the University of Manchester, including an exploration of the implementation of environmental policy in Southern Africa and an exploration of people’s relationship with their local landscape in Bolton. It is also used by Thinkit’s founder, Dr. Joanne Tippett, in teaching skills for research to PhD and Masters-level students.

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Thinkit for Education

Postgraduate

Thinkit has been used in teaching postgraduate courses in ‘Planning Theory & Values’ and ‘Community Planning’ (University of Manchester). Both subjects involve exploring approaches to tackling complex challenges, involving many different issues and viewpoints.

Undergraduate

Thinkit can help students to discuss what they have learned and identify areas for further study. It can be used in tiered lecture halls and encourages interactive learning and debate, even in large groups. Comments from students at the University of Manchester (2007) have been positive: one third of those taught using Thinkit (2nd year Development Process course; up to 80 students) noted, in end-of-year feedback, that it was what had most helped them with their learning throughout the course.

School Pupils

Thinkit has been used to run a number of workshops for schools and educational groups, including:

• Key Stage 4 Geography students (Abraham Moss College)
• Workshops at the Manchester Museum with gifted children, in collaboration with the Advanced Learning Centre
• ‘Widening Participation’ workshops at the University of Manchester for school groups aged 11-16