• All Methods
    • Strategize
      • 5D Framework
      • Break Down 4
      • Business Model Canvas
      • Competitive Analysis
      • Could, Should, Must
      • Dot Coding
      • Eisenhower Matrix
      • Future Trends
      • Golden Circle
      • HEART Framework
      • How Might We
      • Innovation Board
      • Ishikawa Diagram
      • Knowns and Unknowns Framework
      • KPI Tracking
      • Minimum Viable Product
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Stakeholder Map
      • SWOT Analysis
      • User Stories
      • Value Proposition
    • Observe
      • 5 Whys
      • 6 Thinking Hats
      • AEIOU Framework
      • Challenge Assumptions
      • Content Audit
      • Contextual Inquiry Plan
      • Emotional Journey Map
      • Empathy Map
      • Field Study
      • Focus Groups
      • Jobs-to-be-done
      • Journey Mapping
      • Mental Models
      • Mobile Diaries
      • Mystery Shopping
      • Netnography
      • Observation
      • Personas
      • Poems
      • Product Love Letters
      • Search-Log Analysis
      • Social Media Monitoring
      • Surveys
      • User Interviews
    • Ideate
      • 6-3-5 Brainwriting
      • Bodystorming
      • Brainstorming
      • Card Sorting
      • Collage
      • Crazy Eights
      • Dark Horse Prototyping
      • Mind Mapping
      • Moodboards
      • SCAMPER
      • Service Blueprints
      • Storyboards
      • Walt Disney Method
      • Worst Possible Ideas
      • Wow-How-Now Matrix
    • Validate
      • A/B Testing
      • Click Dummy
      • Concept Testing Plan
      • Eye Tracking
      • High-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Lessons Learned
      • Low-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Poster Session
      • Remote Usability Test
      • User Testing
      • Wizard of Oz
      • World Café
    • Warm-up
      • 5 Whys
      • Brainstorming
      • Break Down 4
      • Crazy Eights
      • Destroy and Defend
      • Emoji Challenge
      • Hidden Similarities
      • Impromotion
      • Mind Mapping
      • Product Pitch
      • The Aliens Have Landed
      • Touch Blue
      • Two Truths and a Lie
      • Viewpoint Spectrogram
      • What's on your Desk?
  • Workshop Bundles
  • About us
  • Meet the Creators
  • Get Support
  1. UX Strategy Kit
  2. Methods
  3. Destroy and Defend
beginnerwarm-up
Destroy and DefendPraise and criticize.
30 – 50 min4+ Participantsworkshopteam
Open in FigJam
Summary
The goal of this warm-up method is that the workshop participants understand that it’s easy to destroy a good idea and to find arguments to support a terrible one.
Step-by-step
  1. Divide the group into two groups, the supporters and distractors. Then, create pairs of supporters and distractors. You can also support this by visualizing the teams with our template.
  2. Every supporter now has a few minutes to think of a novel idea that will be needed in the next step.
  3. The first supporter must explain their novel idea in two to three sentences. The distractor needs to explain why this is a horrible idea. After this, the next pair continues until all groups are done.
  4. The distractor starts by proposing a terrible idea. The supporter needs to find arguments why this is such a great idea. The next group continues
  5. After completing the two rounds, you can ask the group about their experience. Explain how easy it is to destroy a good or find arguments for a horrible idea.
What you need
  • Destroy and Defend template
Do you have a question?
These methods might seem simple, but applying them in a real project is another story. We’re there to help. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at the User Experience Strategy & Design team.
Ask Away!
Explore similar methods
Observationobserve
1+ Participants
30 – 180 min

Real insights from users in their natural environment.

Contextual Inquiry Planobserve
3 – 10 Participants
30 – 120 min

Plan and organize when, where, and who is to be observed to obtain information.

The Aliens Have Landedwarm-up
2+ Participants
25 – 30 min

Start your meeting with an creative and communicative atmosphere by seeing your project with new, extraterrestrial eyes.

Mental Modelsobserve
1+ Participants
20 min – 2 d

Match with your user's expectations.

Poster Sessionvalidate
5+ Participants
50 – 95 min

Present ideas, concepts, and insights in a visually appealing way.

© Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 2026.
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
Categories
  • Strategize
  • Observe
  • Ideate
  • Validate
  • Warm-up
Learn more
  • About Us
  • User Experience Strategy & Design
  • Liquid Design System
Legal
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Imprint
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance