SILK Method Deck

The SILK method deck is a handy collection of methods, principles and prompt cards, which can be used by project teams, designers, project managers, social science researchers, community and economic development experts alike. The Method Deck is used most effectively as a complimentary tool for use within our SILK Methodology.

If you would like to buy a printed copy of the Method Deck please email us at: silk.team@kent.gov.uk

The printed Method Deck is priced at £30 plus postage and packing, a nominal fee to cover printing and administration costs. (Postage and packaging: UK = £3, Europe = £5, Rest of the world = £7)

All materials are also available on our website here for use under the Creative Commons licence.

The method deck includes five categories of methods. Each category includes methods that are likely to be useful as guides, prompts or references at different stages of a project: 

 

Plan cards are a useful aid at the early stages of a project, providing the team with ‘how to’s’ and prompts for building a robust project plan.

Communicate cards complement the Plan cards and provide techniques for communicating with stakeholders throughout the project. Some of these may include electronic communications, others might be based on printed media or film.

Insight cards offer a collection of techniques for collecting insight either directly or through users or specialist researchers. Some of these are field-based exercises; others are best done in a workshop or in a quiet office.

Workshop cards include a generic set of tools that may be useful during co-creation sessions. From ice-breakers to voting and clustering exercises, these methods will be useful prompts when planning your next workshop.

Design cards are useful once the project has begun and offer ways of converting insights and inspiration into ideas and practical solutions.

Below are the cards included in the SILK Method Deck.  To view each card please click on its photo.

 

  

 

 

   

 

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Please remember to attribute: SILK and Engine

We love to hear how people have been using the Method Deck. If you've got something you would like to share please leave a comment in the box below or on our Facebook page. It's not only useful for us but we hope it's useful for users of the deck to share experiences and learn from each other how it's being used.

 

The method deck includes five categories of methods. Each category includes methods that are likely to be useful as guides, prompts or references at different stages of a project: 

 

Plan cards are a useful aid at the early stages of a project, providing the team with ‘how to’s’ and prompts for building a robust project plan.

Communicate cards complement the Plan cards and provide techniques for communicating with stakeholders throughout the project. Some of these may include electronic communications, others might be based on printed media or film.

Insight cards offer a collection of techniques for collecting insight either directly or through users or specialist researchers. Some of these are field-based exercises; others are best done in a workshop or in a quiet office.

Workshop cards include a generic set of tools that may be useful during co-creation sessions. From ice-breakers to voting and clustering exercises, these methods will be useful prompts when planning your next workshop.

Design cards are useful once the project has begun and offer ways of converting insights and inspiration into ideas and practical solutions.

Comments

[Isabel]

Is it possible to buy a printed version of the deck? Where?

[Satu Miettinen]

I used the SILK method deck in Cape Town, South Africa in a project that is developing home based health care for dibetes type 2 patients. We were participating the Athlone community members with community mapping card. Community members helped us to point physical sites that are involved in diabetes care. This gave us an understanding of both third and public service providers and about the physical area that is covered by different actions. We also used conversations cards to stimulate conversation of the different aspects of diabetes. We used incentives and disincentives tool to analyze the finding from different interviews. Timeline mapping was used to understand the different activies the patients are involved during the day. We also used touchpoint analysis to understand the health carers point of view. The workshop gave the initial insight to the context of diabetes two in the Athlone community. In the end we were able to point out main challanges for service development and on the other hand develop a couple of initial service solutions.

[Kip Jones]

This is a great idea, well executed and a treat that it is available here on line.
Well done to the team!

[Sue Baker]

Dear SILK Team,

Good work! I find your innovation cards a good source of ideas & inspiration.

I am working in local government, beginning a project to come up with an "ideas" kit for group and co-design workshops. This is to be used internally; at this point within my team, and possibly later across the Authority. I hope to refer to some ideas from your cards as "good practice" methods (acknowledging SILK/Engine, naturally).

Thanks and best wishes,

Sue (West Sussex)

[SILK Team]

Nice post here from redrollers who have used some Method Deck cards in Australia.

http://redrollersresearch.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html

[SILK Team]

Interesting post about cards and their purpose in projects. SILK Method Deck mentioned as one of the card sets he will be doing a meta-analysis of.

http://uxash.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/using-cards-in-user-experience/

[Keela]

How can I get a printed copy of the method deck?

[SILK Team]

If you're interested in buying a Method Deck just get in touch with us: silk.team@kent.gov.uk

[Fred Maupin]

As i just bought an english version of it, i'd be ready to translate it into French, just wait for a sign.

[Conflict Of Interest]

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[sohbet]

across the Authority. I hope to refer to some ideas from your cards as "good