Sticky Decision
A structured way to pick the strongest ideas from a wall of solution sketches without endless debate. Sketches hang in a row like a museum. People silently mark the parts they like with small dots, then each sketch gets a three-minute critique. Everyone casts one non-binding vote, and the Decider makes the final call with a supervote.
Use when a team has several worked-out concepts and needs to choose what to build or test, with input from all but a clear final decision.
Solves: Decision meetings become a contest of persuasion, and the best-presented idea wins rather than the best idea.
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Step 1: Art museum: tape the solution sketches to the wall in one long row (5 min).
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Step 2: Heat map: everyone looks in silence and puts small dots beside the parts they like, and writes questions on sticky notes below the sketch (10-15 min).
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Step 3: Speed critique: three minutes per sketch. The facilitator narrates, the group names standout ideas, a scribe captures them; the sketcher reveals themselves at the end and adds what was missed (3 min per sketch).
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Step 4: Straw poll: each person silently chooses a favourite idea and places one large dot as a non-binding vote, then briefly explains it (10 min).
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Step 5: Supervote: the Decider places their special dots on the ideas the team will take forward (5 min).
- Keep the sketcher silent until the end of their critique so the sketch is judged on what it shows.
- Name the Decider before the session, not after the votes.
- Be strict on the three-minute critique timer.
- Use only the art museum and heat map as a quick silent review of any posted work.