Product Design and Intentional Emergence facilitated by Serious Play

In this paper we discuss the phenomenon “intentional emergence” in a product development process context. We point to play as an enabler for intentional emergence and report on experiences with the Lego Serious Play method. Following our initial empirical experiences we identify six central and comprehensive concepts that are considered essential to improve our understanding of the phenomenon intentional emergence, and, furthermore, are essential in our effort to improve the facilitation of the intentional emergence process. We point to the need for further and more thorough research to develop the methods further and to provide more solid scientific evidence.