How to Run a Successful Co‑Creation Workshop for User Research

Definition of Co‑creation Workshop

A co‑creation workshop blends design‑sprint methodology with structured brainstorming, enabling participants to collaboratively generate ideas and solutions in a visual, hands‑on format.

Types of Co‑creation Workshops

Research‑oriented : Focuses on discovery, gathering user needs through interviews or focus groups.

Sharing‑oriented : Aims to build empathy by deepening stakeholders’ understanding of users.

Ideation‑oriented : Encourages forward‑looking brainstorming to explore future possibilities.

Design‑oriented : Targets concrete, implementable solutions through joint creation.

Decision‑oriented : Facilitates evaluation and selection of proposed solutions.

Six‑Step Co‑creation Workshop Method

Step 1: Foundation

Prepare the groundwork by aligning on topics, assembling a balanced cross‑functional team (typically 6‑7 members per group), and communicating agenda and pre‑work to participants.

Step 2: Structure

Design the workshop flow using the double‑diamond model: Input (share research findings), Understand (use journey maps or empathy maps), Diverge (answer "How Might We?"), Converge (cluster and prioritize ideas), and Build (prototype or outline solutions).

Step 3: Materials

Develop a guiding PPT and a custom co‑creation canvas that visualizes key topics and supports the workshop stages.

Step 4: Soft Setup

Prepare tangible tools (sticky notes, pens, boards) with clear color‑coding rules, and arrange a spacious room with a dedicated wall for the canvas and a “parking lot” area for unresolved issues.

Step 5: Execution

The facilitator (co‑creation lead) must understand the project context, keep the session on track, encourage participation, enforce rules (e.g., "Yes, and"), and may enlist assistant facilitators for each group.

Step 6: Review

After the workshop, consolidate outputs into a digital, shareable document (e.g., PPT or flowchart) that visualizes the results and integrates them into the final research report.