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StrategyIntermediate

Customer-Centric

The Customer-Centric method helps teams map out and identify key stakeholders and users who impact or are impacted by a product. By organizing stakeholders into concentric circles, teams can visualize direct and indirect relationships, ensuring that product development aligns with actual user needs.

Duration
1h
Group size
5–8 people
Materials
sticky notes, pens, large poster or whiteboard

How to run it

  1. 1

    Provide each participant with sticky notes and pens.

  2. 2

    Draw four concentric circles on a large poster or whiteboard. Label them as follows: Innermost circle - The product, 2nd circle - Direct stakeholders, 3rd circle - Indirect stakeholders, 4th circle - External stakeholders.

  3. 3

    Collaboratively identify and place stakeholders in the appropriate circles, thinking broadly about their roles and connections.

  4. 4

    Optionally, draw arrows between personas to highlight communication and influence paths within the stakeholder ecosystem.

Tips

  • Encourage participants to think beyond obvious stakeholders and consider indirect influences.

  • Use arrows to clarify complex relationships, which can help in recognizing less visible but important stakeholders.

Variations

This method can be adapted for virtual teams using online collaboration tools. Use digital sticky notes and a shared virtual board to replicate the physical setup.

Where it fits

Product development workshopsStakeholder analysis sessionsUser experience strategy meetings

Frequently asked questions

When should I use Customer-Centric?â–ľ

Use Customer-Centric when you want to: Product development workshops; Stakeholder analysis sessions; User experience strategy meetings.

How long does Customer-Centric take?â–ľ

Customer-Centric typically takes 60 minutes.

How many participants does Customer-Centric work for?â–ľ

Customer-Centric works best for groups of 5–8 participants.

What materials do I need for Customer-Centric?â–ľ

To run Customer-Centric you will need: sticky notes, pens, large poster or whiteboard.

How difficult is Customer-Centric to facilitate?â–ľ

Customer-Centric is rated intermediate — some facilitation experience is helpful.

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Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Gamestorming.

Customer-Centric — Facilitation Method | Workshop Weaver