Steps One and Two: Kick-Off and Chaotic Exploration

Step one: Kick-off

During the kick-off, the facilitator should, if they don’t already know, take a poll to determine how many participants may need or want an introduction to the EventStorming workshop process. Examples of performing a quick introduction include a time-limited EventStorming of popular movies or books. The facilitator will also put forth and explain the goals for the group during the workshop.

Now is as good a time as any to introduce some tips and etiquette of EventStorming:

• Do not move or replace any sticky notes without first discussing the action with the writer. There is only so much room on a little sticky note, so try to avoid making assumptions about the meaning behind a few words.

• There is no harm in guessing. Put up a sticky note if you think it is important and relevant to the business problem. After it is up, you can then ask any questions to put to rest your doubts. Don’t ask before putting something up on the timeline. Others will be able to give better ideas and feedback if they see the event up on the timeline.

• Do not get attached to what you have written. Replace stickies with ones with better wording to avoid ambiguity and to adopt the ubiquitous language used by domain experts.

• During chaotic exploration, everything ...