What’s Wrong With Most Workshops?

Ever walked out of a workshop and thought, “Well, that was a waste of time”? You’re not alone. Too many workshops feel like they’re just going through the motions, with little to show for the time and energy spent. So, what’s going on?

Here’s the thing: a lot of workshops fall into the trap of “UX Theatre.” That’s when teams go through all the right motions (sticky notes, group activities, maybe even a few personas) but don’t actually involve real users in any meaningful way. It’s all style, no substance.

At their best, workshops help us make sense of what we already know; they’re a way to collect, analyze, and synthesize information. But if you don’t have solid data or research to start with? You’re just brainstorming in a vacuum, and that usually means the loudest voices in the room win.

Another common fail: skipping the design phase. People decide, “We need a workshop!” No plan, no clear goals, no thought about who should be in the room or what you’re trying to achieve. Spoiler alert: this almost never works. There’s no one-size-fits-all template for a good workshop. Every session needs to be tailored to the people, the problem, and the context.

Bottom line: A great workshop is carefully planned, laser-focused on clear outcomes, and built on real data (or at least some rough concepts to kick things off). If you skip these steps, you’re just putting on a show, and nobody has time for that.

If you’re tired of workshops that feel like theater and want to run sessions that actually move the needle, you’re in the right place. Each issue of Workshop Alchemy will bring you practical tips, proven strategies, and fresh ideas to help you design workshops that work, whether you’re leading remote teams, hybrid groups, or in-person sessions.

My goal is to support your journey in architecting workshops that truly transform how teams connect and collaborate and help you architect workshops that actually work.