When inviting groups to enter into collaborative and creative thinking, it’s often helpful to create some “guard rails” or “river banks” that serve as a container for their thinking, keeping them focused on the topic or subject matter that is most important.

As a facilitator, it’s important to clearly communicate these thinking constraints, as well as set proper expectations for what the participants should anticipate as a result or outcome from the activity.

Encouraging participants to continue their own thinking on their own and with others, even after the activity concludes, can also be a very helpful and productive reminder.

Watch this Facilitation Insight (3-min. video) from a recent Design Studio, where Steve reviews the importance of setting proper expectations and thinking constraints for activities.