What it is for:Worst possible idea is a reverse brainstorming method. The team leaves with a set of reversals that describe what good looks like in the users' terms, and three to five seeds worth developing.
Who it helps:Facilitators working with a tense, tired or overly cautious group, or with sessions where every idea has started to look the same.
When to use it
A group is tense, tired or too cautious to suggest anything new.
Ideas from earlier sessions all look the same.
You want to make a service's hidden values visible, such as trust, dignity or speed.
How to use it
State the challenge, then ask for the worst ideas anyone can think of.
Give five minutes to write bad ideas, one per note, and enjoy reading them out.
For the richest ones, name exactly what makes them bad, and for whom.
Flip each reason into a principle or possibility on a second colour.
Mark the fresh seeds and take three to five into your next idea session.
Tip:Join in with your own terrible idea first. It gives everyone permission.
Credits and sources:Original Tiremesù worksheet and wording. Further reading: Interaction Design Foundation https://assets.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/worst-possible-idea
Full guide and film:https://www.tiremesu.com/guides/worst-possible-idea
