Hot Air Balloon
The Hot Air Balloon method is a metaphorical journey that helps teams identify internal and external factors influencing a project or organization. By visualizing these elements as parts of a balloon ride, participants engage in creative problem-solving and strategic thinking.
Use this method at the beginning of a project or workshop to assess the landscape, identify potential challenges and opportunities, and align the team on a shared vision.
Solves: Lack of shared understanding of the internal and external factors affecting a project; difficulty identifying strengths and weaknesses in a collaborative manner.
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Step 1: Introduce the metaphor. Explain that the team will be imagining their project as a hot air balloon journey. (2 minutes)
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Step 2: Wind. Ask participants to identify external forces (threats and opportunities) affecting the project. Capture these on sticky notes. (7 minutes)
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Step 3: Sandbags. Identify internal challenges and weaknesses that are holding the project back. Add these to the 'sandbags' section. (7 minutes)
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Step 4: Hot Air. Brainstorm the strengths and competitive advantages that can propel the project forward. (7 minutes)
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Step 5: Passengers & Observers. Identify key internal stakeholders (passengers) and external stakeholders/users (observers). (7 minutes)
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Step 6: Paradise Island. Define the desired future state or long-term goal (5-10 years). What does success look like? (7 minutes)
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Step 7: Steps to Take. Discuss concrete actions needed to reach the 'Paradise Island'. (7 minutes)
- Encourage participants to think broadly and creatively.
- Keep the discussion focused and avoid getting bogged down in details during the brainstorming phase.
- Timebox each step to ensure the activity stays on track.
- Use different metaphors, such as a ship sailing to a destination or a rocket launching into space.
- Adapt the categories to fit the specific context of the project or workshop.