BREVITY
Hot & Cold
An approach to briefing where information is presented in parts, using a combination of specific and expressive variables.
Active Time
15 - 45 minutes
Preparation Time
60 - 120 minutes
Objective
Agree on priorities
Collective Ideation
How?
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Prior to briefing, identify the “locked requirements,” or requirements that cannot be changed e.g. outputs and objectives.
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Prior to briefing, break the specific requirements (the “cold” stuff) into individual parts and write down on separate pages.
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Prior to briefing, create expressive variables (the “hot” stuff) that is aimed at stimulating the imagination of the team.
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During briefing, use the combination of hold and cold stuff as catalyst to explore ideas. Try to combine individual and group exercises.




Example?
By presenting information in parts, we avoid information overload. In addition, combining “hot” and “cold” information serves as an attempt to balance flexibility/imagination and specificity/constraints.
Why?
Identifying locked, hot and cold requirements prior to briefing. Facilitates different approaches to ideation during briefing e.g. individual/group exercises.
Facilitator's
role
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List of the "locked" requirements, as well as the hot & cold variables
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Initial ideas