With the aid of the card method, it is possible to develop topics, questions, ideas and possible solutions.
Example of topic for which it can be used:
Collecting ideas on water saving measures
How to proceed
- Duration: depends on number of participants and cards
- Participants: 5 - 10, as mixed as possible
- Materials: pinboard, cards (different colours and shapes), adhesive tape, pins, thick markers
The moderator poses a visualised question to the group on a pinboard (or normal wall with packing paper on it). The participants are to answer the question in writing. For this purpose, cards of uniform colour are distributed so that the replies are anonymous. Colours and shapes have particular meanings! Different colours are used for different subjects or questions.
What points should be kept in mind
When writing on the cards:
- write with thick markers
- write in capital letters
- write in big, clear letters (maximum 3 lines, 7 words)
- write only one thought per card
When collecting the cards, take care to collect them with the writing face-down. Open questioning on the cards should also be anonymous for the most part. After you have collected the cards, pin them on the board or wall.
In a joint discussion, the participants decide card-by-card whether a specific card belongs to the other cards or a new group in terms of subject matter. When all cards have been pinned up, the participants review the assignment of the cards again and write a suitable general heading above the individual groups.
Objective
The card method is an excellent way of collecting ideas on specific subjects. If properly applied, it ensures that all participants come up with ideas. If the collection is mostly anonymous, more critical objections and commentaries, which may otherwise not be raised, are also possible.
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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All participants are involved
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Takes a lot of time
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All suggestions are equally important - there is no hierarchy or other differences
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With a lot of participants or many suggestions, overview is quickly lost
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Cards can be rearranged at any time.
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Number of cards can be limited from the beginning
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Source: B.A.U.M. EPAG, Zukunftsorientiertes Umweltmanagement in kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen, 1998, according to Seifert, VPM
