Storyboard
An idea told as a sequence of frames
- PhasePrototype
- Group2 to 8 people
- Time45 minutes
- SettingRoom or remote
- ExecutivesYes
What it is
A storyboard tells an idea as a sequence of frames: the situation, the trigger, how the AI solution helps, what goes wrong, how the person decides and the result. It shows how an idea would work in a person's day without building anything.
When to use it
When the group needs to show how an idea plays out for one person over time, before anything is built.
When to skip it
When the question is about how the AI solution behaves. Use a Prompt Prototype Sheet or a Hand-Simulated AI Session.
How to run it
- 5 minChoose one person and one situation from your research.
- 10 minList the six moments that matter, from start to finish.
- 25 minDraw or write one frame for each: what the person does, what the AI solution does, how the person feels.
- 5 minRead the story aloud to someone who was not involved.
About 45 minutes of method time. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
What to watch for
Frames that show features, not moments in the person’s day. A story with no wrong answer in it.
The AI lens
Include one frame where the AI solution is wrong, and one where the person overrides it.
What you leave with
A six-frame story that shows the idea in use.
An example
Six frames show a field technician receiving an AI suggestion, ignoring it once, being proved wrong, and deciding when to trust it. The wrong-answer frame is what makes the storyboard honest.
How it compares
A Storyboard shows a sequence over time. A Concept Poster shows the whole idea on one page.
Related methods
Questions
What is Storyboard?
A storyboard tells an idea as a sequence of frames: the situation, the trigger, how the AI solution helps, what goes wrong, how the person decides and the result. It shows how an idea would work in a person's day without building anything.
When should I use Storyboard?
When the group needs to show how an idea plays out for one person over time, before anything is built.
How long does Storyboard take and how many people do I need?
Storyboard takes about 45 minutes and suits 2 to 8 people, plus a facilitator. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
How is Storyboard different from other methods?
A Storyboard shows a sequence over time. A Concept Poster shows the whole idea on one page.
Can I run Storyboard remotely or with executives?
Yes. Storyboard works in the room or remotely. Remotely, put the canvas on a shared board in advance and write silently in the board, not in chat. Executives: Yes, works with executives present.