How to Organize a Think Tank
A think tank is a group or organization that focuses on resolution of a specific issue or task, especially in the fields of technology and science. According to the Think Tank Technique as published on the Center for Creative Community website, a think tank is a process that focuses intensely on problems and challenges with significance that goes beyond the individual, process or the immediate future. Organizing a think tank can be challenging; you need to decide the specific field of focus for the think tank and acquire qualified participants who can expertly handle the technical aspects and challenges of the field.
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Instructions
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Decide the purpose for your think tank. What do you want the think tank to do? For example, do you want it to focus on the relation between economics and business processes or have it discuss issues such as strategies that can improve process excellence and business agility? Choose your purpose and narrow it down to specifics so that you can get qualified participants accordingly.
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Decide the duration of your think tank and the number of participants you would like to have. According to the Think Tank Technique, a group of five to 12 is ideal. To accommodate larger gatherings, you can use a combination of general and break-out sessions with the general session consisting of no more than a group of 30. The duration of the think tank can be anywhere from a single evening to one or two days or more. A regular timeframe used by many think tank organizers starts on one evening, extends through the next full day and finishes by the afternoon of the third day. Design a timeframe that offers enough time for participants to get acquainted, carry out an in-depth discussion and wrap up.
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Find a location for your think tank. Make arrangements for accommodations, meals and meeting rooms. Announce the think tank several months beforehand. This gives interested participants enough time to arrange attendance and allows you time to secure funding and finalize all details.
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Gather participants for your think tank. Dispatch registration forms two months before the actual date and set deadlines for receipt. Ask candidates to include a short description of themselves and their expectations from the think tank. Choose candidates on the basis of their expertise. Ideal candidates should also be self-disciplined visionaries with an open mind and willingness to take risks. Look for experience and the tendency to question conventions.
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Send relevant information about the think tank two weeks before the actual date. This should include maps and directions to the location and contact phone numbers, along with the think tank program background and information about the other participants obtained from their registration forms. Simultaneously, touch base regularly with the accommodation and meals facilitators.
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Welcome the participants on the opening day of the event. Ensure that they have a smooth stay through regular checks and updates with facilitators. Provide participants with the required think tank materials.
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Establish a casual environment with an informal dress code. Ensure there are no interruptions such as phone calls during the discussions. Assign group and individual roles for smooth flow of the discussion. Thank participants and facilitators after completion of the think tank.
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