Collaborative Software Design: Dear CoMoAn advice column for facilitators. Somebody writes in about a room that is not working; CoMo writes back.https://collaborative-software-design.com/en-gbI would love to do collaborative modelling, but I am not allowed to do so because it does not fit in my job descriptionhttps://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/secret-guerrilla-modelling/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/secret-guerrilla-modelling/Job description blocking collaborative modelling? Learn Secret and Guerrilla Modelling to start collaborating visually, prove its value, and grow your influence.Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMTCollaborative modellingPower DynamicsCollaboration StylesCan I tell the group their technical choice is wrong while I am facilitating?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/facilitator-hat-switch-technical-decisions/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/facilitator-hat-switch-technical-decisions/Struggling to stay neutral when the team is making a mistake? CoMo explains how to use the "Hat Switch" to share expertise without breaking facilitation.Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMTFacilitationCollaborative modellingRole SwitchingCognitive BiasSoftware ArchitecturePower DynamicsHow many people should I invite for a collaborative modelling sessions?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/collaborative-modeling-group-size/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/collaborative-modeling-group-size/Worried about how many people to invite to your collaborative modeling session? Dear CoMo explains the sweet spot for group size, from discovery to decision-making, to ensure your team's success.Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTGroup DynamicsCollaborative modellingPreparationMy Team Clings to Their Ideas – Help!https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/team-clings-ideas-collaborative-modelling-endowment-effect/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/team-clings-ideas-collaborative-modelling-endowment-effect/Is your team clinging to their own ideas in collaborative modelling sessions? Discover how the Endowment Effect impacts teamwork and learn strategies to encourage objective evaluation for better solutions.Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTCognitive BiasBehavioural PatternsIf we leave the judging to the cats, how can we address the shadows in collaborative modelling sessions?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/leave-the-judging-to-the-cats/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/leave-the-judging-to-the-cats/Stop judging like a cat! Practical tips for facilitators to handle difficult behaviours & underlying 'shadows' in workshops through objective pattern recognition.Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMTBehavioural PatternsPsychological SafetyGroup DynamicsHandling ResistanceConflict ManagementWhy does my colleague never contradict me?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/conflict-avoidant-colleague/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/conflict-avoidant-colleague/Wondering why a colleague never contradicts you? It might be conflict avoidance. Understand the roots of this behavior and learn how to create a safer space for disagreement.Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMTPsychological SafetyConflict ManagementTeam DynamicsWhy do we often find that people in our team use the same words but seem to mean different things, leading to confusion?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/ambiguous-language-team-discussions/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/ambiguous-language-team-discussions/Ambiguous language in team discussions can impede collaboration. Learn effective strategies to foster a shared vocabulary and enhance communication among your team.Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTUbiquitous LanguageWhat can I do if people keep interrupting each other?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/how-to-stop-meeting-interruptions/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/how-to-stop-meeting-interruptions/Are interruptions derailing your meetings? Learn how to address individual interrupters and systemic interruption patterns with proven strategies like crucial conversations and Deep Democracy. Get your team back on track!Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMTCrucial ConversationsDeep DemocracyBehavioural PatternsActive ListeningMy team wants to adopt any shiny new framework or tool that pops up. How can I stop this?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/stop-chasing-shiny-objects/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/stop-chasing-shiny-objects/Discover various cognitive bias in software design. Learn how the bandwagon effect can influence behavior, choices, and software design. Dive deeper with our book.Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTThere are people in the group who stay quiet all the time. How do I ensure they speak up?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/help-quiet-members-speak-up/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/help-quiet-members-speak-up/Not everyone feels ready to speak up in group sessions. Learn practical strategies to create an inclusive environment that encourages everyone to share ideas, even the quieter voices.Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTCan I be both facilitator and participant during an EventStorming session?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/can-i-be-both-facilitator-and-participant-during-an-evenstorm-session/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/can-i-be-both-facilitator-and-participant-during-an-evenstorm-session/Wondering if you can be both a facilitator and a participant during an EventStorming session? Learn the challenges, tips, and best practices for balancing these roles effectively in high-stakes and large-group sessions.Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTHow can I convince my company or colleagues to start doing collaborative modelling?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/dear-como-how-can-i-convince-my-company-or-colleagues-to-start-doing-collaborative-modelling/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/dear-como-how-can-i-convince-my-company-or-colleagues-to-start-doing-collaborative-modelling/Struggling to get your company on board with collaborative modeling? Discover effective, stealthy strategies like Secret Modeling and Guerilla Modeling to introduce the concept and win over your colleagues effortlessly. Find out how to make collaborative modeling a success in your workplace!Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTHow can I make contributions of people in meetings more equal?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/equal-contributions-in-meetings/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/equal-contributions-in-meetings/Are meetings often dominated by a few voices? Learn how to create a balanced environment where everyone has the opportunity to share ideas, regardless of their rank. Discover practical steps to equalize contributions and leverage the full wisdom of your group.Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTHow can I get people to fully support design decisions and feel included in the process?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/getting-buy-in-for-design-decisions/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/getting-buy-in-for-design-decisions/Learn how to get buy-in for design decisions through clarity, inclusion, and transparent processes. Discover strategies to ensure everyone feels heard and respected.Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTI have this colleague who’s always taking over meetings and hijacking topics. What can I do?https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/i-have-this-colleague-whos-always-taking-over-meetings-and-hijacking-topics-what-can-i-do/https://collaborative-software-design.com/dear-como/i-have-this-colleague-whos-always-taking-over-meetings-and-hijacking-topics-what-can-i-do/Discover insights into hijacking behavior in meetings. Learn to identify patterns, motivations, and how to influence positive change in group dynamics. Dive deeper with our book.Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT