If you're a Dynamics 365 or Power Platform consultant, you know that successful workshops require a lot of preparation and structure. If you use digital collaboration tools, like Miro, things can get quite chaotic if you are not set up for success.
In this blog post, I give you practical tips on how to set up Miro boards for smooth and engaging workshops. Whether you're experienced or new to digital collaboration tools, these tips will help you improve your facilitation skills.
I discuss key tips for setting up your Miro boards, including how to organise your content, make sure participants can easily navigate the board, and lock elements to prevent mistakes. By the end of this post, you'll have useful checklist to make sure you are set up for effective and enjoyable workshops.
Setting up a Miro board effectively begins with understanding the basics of the platform. Miro offers a range of features that can transform your workshop into an interactive and productive experience.
Pin Notes
In Miro, you can pin the Note pane so that when a user first opens a board the notes are the first thing they see. This is especially helpful for people new to Miro. In the Notes I usually add a welcome message, links to basic Miro training, links to the Teams meeting and any other information about what to expect from the workshop.
Setting the Start View
Another important aspect of preparing your Miro board for a workshop is setting the start view. This feature allows you to define what part of the board participants will see when they join your board. To set the start view, arrange your board to the desired layout and click 'Set as Start View' from the Board menu. This helps make sure everyone is not overwhelmed with the vastness of a Miro board, especially if it has a lot of content on it!
Organising Your Content with Frames
Frames are a powerful way to group elements on your Miro board, making it easier to keep workshop exercises or content organised. Use A4 frames for content that may need to be printed out later, as each frame will correspond to a page in a PDF. For presentations that will remain digital, 16:9 frames offer a visually appealing format.
The other reason to use Frames is that you can present them and take users on a journey from one Frame to the next, like and interactive slide show. Use the Frames panel to set up your Frames in the order you want participants to work through them in your workshop. You can then Present the frames which sets everyone’s view of the board to be of the same Frame you (as the facilitator), ensuring everyone stays on the same page, literally.
Locking Down Content
One of the most critical steps in setting up your Miro board is locking down elements that you do not want participants interact with. This prevents participants from accidentally moving or altering important content. If components are not locked down, it is highly likely that someone will move them, and this can be extremely disruptive to a workshop. Select the components that you want to lock and, use the 'Control + Shift + P' shortcut to lock components down so that only the board owner can unlock them. Just remember to not lock elements like sticky notes and voting dots that you do want participants to interact with.
Guiding Your Participants
Showing users how to follow along in Miro during presentation mode is key to maintaining engagement and ensuring everyone is on the same page. Utilise the presentation mode to move through your frames methodically, presenting each step clearly. When you begin the presentation, participants will see a prompt to 'Join presentation'. This feature ensures that all participants view the same part of the board simultaneously, reducing confusion and enhancing focus. Additionally, if users decide to stray away from the presentation on the board, Miro provides simple ways to get back you your presentation.
Simple Interactive Activities
Incorporating simple interactive activities into your Miro board can significantly enhance participant engagement and retention during workshops. These activities serve as dynamic tools to break the monotony of passive listening and actively involve participants in the learning process. Interactive elements such as quick polls, drag-and-drop tasks, and collaborative brainstorming on sticky notes encourage attendees to participate and contribute, fostering a more inclusive and livelier environment. See the Miroverse community for activity templates and ideas.
Test Your Miro Board
Testing your Miro board setup before the workshop is crucial to ensure a smooth and effective facilitation process. By experiencing the board from a participant's perspective, you can identify and address any potential navigational issues or confusing elements. This proactive approach allows you to make necessary adjustments, ensuring that the board is intuitive and accessible for all users. Additionally, testing helps you to verify that all interactive features, such as polls and timelines, function correctly, minimising disruptions during the workshop.
Miro Board Set Up Checklist
I use this quick check-list every time I set up a new board for a workshop.
Pin notes to welcome participants
Set the start view
Organise using Frames
Set up Frames
Include "Following in Miro" slide
Lock it down
Test
Conclusion
By thoughtfully setting up your Miro boards and employing these facilitation techniques, you can create workshops that are not only productive but also engaging and enjoyable. Remember, the goal is to make collaboration easy, enabling your team to focus on sharing ideas and problem-solving.
Feel inspired to try these tips in your next workshop? Share your experiences and any additional tips you have in the comments below.
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