# Lotus Model Participants write a central focus theme in the middle of a 3-by-3 grid, branch out into eight related sub-themes, and then expand those sub-themes into secondary petals of specific ideas. **Time:** 20 minutes. Based on the 5 to 20 minute duration range in Project of How **People:** 1 to 24. Solo work or small groups of 2 to 4 people per grid ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Map a broad central theme into structured sub-topics and practical idea variants on paper or a digital canvas. **Use it when:** Use during early planning or project definition when a team has a broad topic and needs to break it down into manageable sub-categories and distinct ideas. **Skip it when:** Skip when the team already has specific hypotheses and needs convergence, prioritisation, or feasibility testing rather than divergence. ## Materials and tools - One blank 3-by-3 grid sheet or Lotus template per person or pair - One pen or fine marker per participant - Extra scrap paper for notes - Digital whiteboard board with pre-drawn 3x3 grids if working online ## Before participants arrive 1. Print or draw a 3-by-3 grid on paper for each group or individual. 2. Decide on the shared central topic in advance (for example, Digital Media, Customer Onboarding, or Workplace Communication). ## Say this to open Today we are mapping ideas using the Lotus Model. We start with one central theme in the middle box. Around it, we identify eight distinct sub-categories. Once those eight boxes are filled, each sub-category becomes the seed for its own eight concrete ideas. Work in pairs or individually. Write legibly and fill as many outer petals as you can. ## How to run it ### 1. Set central theme and seed petals (4 minutes) Explain the grid mechanics. Every individual or group writes the main agreed focus area in the center box (for example, Digital Media). Next, fill the eight surrounding boxes with distinct sub-themes or categories related to that focus (for example, Social Media, Podcasts, Video, Newsletters). Stop when the eight surrounding boxes are filled or time expires. ### 2. Unfold sub-themes into outer ideas (10 minutes) Take each of the eight sub-categories and expand it with specific ideas, examples, or tactical options. If using a full multi-grid canvas, copy each sub-theme into the center of a new surrounding 3-by-3 grid and generate eight ideas around it (for example, under Social Media: short-form video clips, weekly polls, guest takeovers). Work quietly and fill as many slots as possible. Incomplete boxes are acceptable. ### 3. Review and highlight leads (3 minutes) Each person or small group reviews their completed grid. Mark two or three specific ideas that look most promising or distinct with a star or circle. If working in pairs, agree quietly on your selected leads. ### 4. Debrief and group checkout (3 minutes) Invite up to three participants or pairs to read out one unexpected branch or concrete idea they developed. Note any common patterns across different sheets. ## Debrief questions - Which sub-category generated specific ideas most quickly, and which was hardest to fill? - Looking at the outer ideas, which single item is the most ready for immediate testing? **Finished output:** A structured Lotus grid containing up to eight sub-themes and specific idea expansions, with two to three high-priority items highlighted. ## Remote Provide a shared whiteboard board with pre-made 3-by-3 sticky-note clusters. Break remote participants into breakout rooms of 2 to 4 people or let them work on personal boards. Use breakout timers and bring everyone back to the main room for the final 3-minute review. ## Hybrid In-person pairs use large printed sheets while remote pairs work on a shared digital board. In the debrief, alternate between one remote pair and one in-person pair to share their top ideas. ## Access and participation choices - Participants may work solo, with a partner, or act as scribe for their pair. - Writing can be bullet points, keywords, or short phrases; drawing symbols or diagrams in the boxes is equally valid. - Passing during the final read-out is permitted without explanation. ## If the session gets stuck **Participants get stuck trying to invent all eight sub-categories before expanding.** Remind them that perfection is not required. If they have 5 or 6 sub-categories, start branching into specific ideas immediately rather than stalling. **Ideas become redundant or repeat the same angle across multiple boxes.** Ask the team to prompt themselves with contrasting formats: one low-cost option, one experimental format, and one automated method. ## Terms used here - Lotus Model: An analytical brainstorming technique that structures ideas in concentric 3-by-3 grids radiating out from a core focus topic. ## Participant material: Basic Lotus Grid Worksheet +------------------+------------------+------------------+ | Sub-Theme 1: | Sub-Theme 2: | Sub-Theme 3: | | | | | +------------------+------------------+------------------+ | Sub-Theme 8: | CENTRAL THEME: | Sub-Theme 4: | | | | | +------------------+------------------+------------------+ | Sub-Theme 7: | Sub-Theme 6: | Sub-Theme 5: | | | | | +------------------+------------------+------------------+ Instructions: Write your main topic in the center box. Add 8 sub-categories around it. On separate scratch sheets or an expanded canvas, place each sub-category in the middle and list 8 concrete ideas around it. ## Sources and adaptation Observed in Project of How (entry HOW022, author credited as Christian Stjernqvist, 2012). The method is widely known in creative thinking literature as Lotus Blossom or the Matsumura method, though the supplied source titles it 'The Lotus model'. The core mechanic of placing a focus theme in the center, surrounding it with sub-themes, and then branching into ideas is preserved from Project of How. UWT added explicit step-by-step timing for a 20-minute session, group scaling constraints, access choices, digital whiteboard notes, and debrief prompts. [Project of How](https://projectofhow.com/method/the-lotus-model/) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/the-lotus-model-project-of-how/