book

Gamestorming 2.0

by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown

July 2025

Intermediate to advanced

472 pages

10h 8m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Audiobook available

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Foreword
Preface
Using Book ExamplesO’Reilly Online LearningHow to Contact UsAcknowledgments
I. Foundations
1. Why Gamestorming?
The Space of PossibilityHow We Make Not-Knowing DesirableThinking MovesThinking Beyond the BrainVisualizationGames and Game Sequences
2. What Is a Game?
The Game of BusinessFuzzy GoalsThe Shape of a Game
3. Gamestorming in Practice
EnergyStructureNatural Energy FlowsBright and Stimulating EnvironmentsEnergy GradientsTime-boxingIntrovert and Extrovert EnergyOpening and ClosingArtifactsSticky NotesNodesLinkingMeaningful SpaceBordersAxesCircles and TargetsMetric Versus Ordered SpaceGridsLandscapes and MapsMetaphorSketching and ModelmakingVisual LanguageThe Visual AlphabetDrawing PeoplePerspectiveRandomness, Reversal, and ReframingFirestartingSetupsAsking QuestionsOpening QuestionsNavigating QuestionsExamining QuestionsExperimental QuestionsClosing QuestionsImprovisationSelectionTry Something NewPractice
4. Designing Workshops and Meetings
Disrupting the Default Meeting TemplateStructures of MeetingsThe 7PsPurposePeopleProcessProductPreparationPractical ConcernsPitfallsPractice the 7Ps in a Meeting About MeetingsVirtual MeetingsGamestorming for Virtual Meetings and EventsConsiderations for Thinking Virtually in GroupsPrior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
5. The Design Canvas
What Is a Design Canvas?How Is a Design Canvas Different?Canvas or Game Board?What Does “Good” Look Like?How to Develop a Design Canvas from ScratchHow to Evolve an Existing Model, Framework, or Game Board into a Design CanvasHow to Evaluate a Design CanvasSummary
6. Gamestorming for Culture Change
What Is Culture?Why Is Culture Important?How Gamestorming Shifts CultureWhat Gamestorming Is and What It Is NotGamestorming Engages the Full PersonGamestorming Makes Information Explicit and TangibleGamestorming Inspires Creativity and the Free Flow of IdeasGamestorming Encourages Collaboration and ConsensusTo Gamestorm or Not to Gamestorm?How to Create the ShiftSet the StageRemove BarriersDesign Interventions and ExperimentsCreate a Low-Risk Space for Practice and PlayPersistencePatienceHow to Know It’s Working
II. The Collection

7. Core Games
Post-UpObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineAffinity MapObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineCard SortObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineThe 7Ps FrameworkObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineEmpathy MapObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineCarouselObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineBodystormingObject of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineStoryboardObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineForced RankingObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineDot VotingObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineWhoDoObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing Online
8. Games for Opening
3-12-3 BrainstormObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing Online6-8-5Object of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineAltitudeObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDurationHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineThe Anti-ProblemObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineBrainwritingObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineCode of ConductObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineContext MapObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineCover StoryObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineDay in the LifeObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineDraw the ProblemObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineDraw ToastObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineFishbowlObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayTips for Playing OnlineForced AnalogyObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineGraphic JamObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineHero’s Journey AgendaObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineHeuristic Ideation TechniqueNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineHistory MapObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineHopes & DreamsObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineI Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me of…Object of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineLet’s CountObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineLow-Tech Social NetworkObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineMission ImpossibleObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineObject BrainstormObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlinePecha KuchaObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlinePie Chart AgendaObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlinePlane MetaphorObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlinePoster SessionObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlinePre-MortemObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineRose, Thorn, and BudObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineShow and TellObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineShow Me Your ValuesObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineSpectrum MappingObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineSquiggle BirdsObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineStakeholder AnalysisObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineStinky FishObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineTrading CardsObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineVisual AgendaObject of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing Online
9. Games for Exploring
The 4CsObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineThe 5 WhysObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineAtomizeObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineThe Blind SideObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineBuild the ChecklistObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineBusiness Model CanvasObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineButtonObject of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineCampfireObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineChallenge CardsObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineCountdownObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineDesign the BoxObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlaySetupHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineDesire MappingObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineElevator PitchObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineEvent HorizonObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineFive-Fingered ConsensusObject of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineFlip ItObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineForce Field AnalysisObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineGive-and-Take MatrixObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineHead, Heart, HandsObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineHelp Me UnderstandObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineHidden VariablesObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineMake a WorldObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineMood BoardObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineOpen SpaceObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineThe PitchObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlinePlanning PokerObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlinePopcornObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlinePost the PathObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineProduct PinocchioObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineRACI MatrixObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineRemembering the FutureObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineSpeed BoatObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineSQUIDObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineStaple Yourself to SomethingObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineSynesthesiaObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineUnderstanding ChainObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineValue MappingObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineThe Virtuous CycleObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineVisual GlossaryObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineWizard of OzObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineThe World CaféObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlaySetupHow to PlayTips for Playing Online
10. Games for Closing
$100 TestObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing Online20/20 VisionObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineCoffee QuestionObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineEthos, Logos, PathosObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineFill in the BlankObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineGraphic GameplanObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineI Like, I Wish, I WonderObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineImpact & Effort MatrixObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineMemory WallObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineNUF TestObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlinePrune the FutureObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineStart, Stop, ContinueObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing OnlineWho/What/When MatrixObject of PlayNumber of PlayersDuration of PlayHow to PlayStrategyTips for Playing Online
A. Gamestorming with AI
How We Currently Use AI to Enhance Gamestorming
B. The Gamestorming Cheat Sheet
Games for Communicating Core ConceptsGames for Finding the Essence of an IdeaGames for Envisioning the FutureGames for Building Consensus (Among Members of a Team)Games for Early Kickoff MeetingsGames for Design (or Developing a How-It-Works Video)Games for IdeationGames for Generating Lots of IdeasGames for Developing a RoadmapGames for After You Already Have a PrototypeGames for a Different PerspectiveGames for Connecting with a User BaseGames for Identifying Stakeholder ValuesGames for Seeing Things from Another PerspectivePro/Con GamesGames for Thinking Through Problems or StrategiesGames for Making a DecisionGames for Voting on ChoicesGames for Finding Patterns in DataOther GamesGames for Managing MeetingsGames for Team BondingGames for Assessing Company Structure/LeadershipGames for Thinking Through Business ModelsGames for Understanding the Feasibility of ChangeGames for Cultivating Emotional Intelligence
Index
About the Authors

Content preview from Gamestorming 2.0

About the Authors

Dave Gray’s passion has been and continues to be finding ways to help people improve their ability to build shared understanding so they can better coordinate joint action on things that matter to them. In 1993 he founded XPLANE, the visual thinking company, to help people develop shared understanding, so they can make better, faster decisions, and work better together to create more lasting, sustainable impact. He has written three books on design, change, and innovation.

Sunni (Sun) Brown is an author, speaker, facilitator, entrepreneur, and seasoned practitioner of Internal Family Systems and Zen. She founded the creative consultancy Sunni Brown Ink and led a global movement on visual literacy called The Doodle Revolution, garnering 100 Most Creative People in Business recognition from Fast Company. She is widely credited with the rise of visual thinking as a tool for deeper inquiry. She more recently founded the Center for Deep Self Design, which uses gamefulness as a method to support inner science and human potential.

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9781098148072Errata Page

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Gamestorming 2.0

by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown

About the Authors

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.