# Co-creation through ideation, journey maps and prototyping

*Platform Strategy Designer Study Guide · Tools and Artifacts · Last updated November 2, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-strategy-designer/tools-and-artifacts/co-creation-through-ideation-journey-maps-and-prototyping*

When and how to bring customers and stakeholders into the work: co-creation timing, materials and guests, brainstorming rules and the group-ideation mistakes to correct, asynchronous ideation, dot voting, journey mapping workshops, and prototyping methods that let people explore a concept with you.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Strategy Designer
- Exam section: Tools and Artifacts
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-strategy-designer

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a customer scenario, identify the best methods of co-creation to employ with customers and stakeholders.

## What the exam expects

- Decide when to bring co-creators in, whom to invite, and what materials to show them.
- Pick an ideation method (brainstorm, future-state journey map, asynchronous ideation, co-creation session) from the situation.
- Apply the brainstorming rules and correct the five common group-ideation mistakes.
- Run a fair dot vote and a journey mapping workshop from confirmation of phases to opportunity voting.
- Choose a prototyping method for co-creation and listen well to the feedback.

Key terms: **co-creation** (a design team invites people outside the core team into ideation); **dot vote** (a simple tool teams use to prioritize ideas); **asynchronous ideation** (ideation without a real-time meeting); **bodystorming** (role-playing a concept physically, as opposed to brainstorming).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Co-creation timing | After framing the opportunity and shaping high-level concepts | [Explore More Methods for Generating Ideas](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/idea-generation/explore-more-methods-for-generating-ideas) |
| Co-creation stimuli | Sticky notes, hand-drawn sketches, screenshots of similar experiences | [Explore More Methods for Generating Ideas](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/idea-generation/explore-more-methods-for-generating-ideas) |
| Journey map as ideation | Fits an existing experience; too much context for revolutionary ideas | [Explore More Methods for Generating Ideas](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/idea-generation/explore-more-methods-for-generating-ideas) |
| Brainstorm session time | Little context at the start; bulk of time exchanging ideas | [Facilitate a Brainstorming Session](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/idea-generation/facilitate-a-brainstorming-session) |
| Dot budget | Each person eliminates at least three-quarters of options | [Facilitate a Brainstorming Session](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/idea-generation/facilitate-a-brainstorming-session) |
| Own ideas | Participants may vote for their own ideas | [Facilitate a Brainstorming Session](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/idea-generation/facilitate-a-brainstorming-session) |
| Journey map sections | Phases, actions, thoughts, feelings, touchpoints, context, opportunities | [Start Your Journey Map](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/journey-mapping/start-your-journey-map) |
| Journey workshop vote | Top two ideas per phase | [Run a Journey Mapping Workshop](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/journey-mapping/run-a-journey-mapping-workshop) |
| Format question | What is the fastest way to answer this question? | [Get to Know Different Kinds of Prototyping](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/design-strategy-prototyping/get-to-know-different-kinds-of-prototyping) |

## Check yourself

- Why should a brainstorm hold one conversation at a time?
- Why does going for quantity help a brainstorm?
- When should a team run another brainstorm for the same challenge?
- What should a journey workshop check when it steps back from the synthesized map?

## Sources

- [Explore More Methods for Generating Ideas](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/idea-generation/explore-more-methods-for-generating-ideas)
- [Facilitate a Brainstorming Session](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/idea-generation/facilitate-a-brainstorming-session)
- [Define Intention and Audience](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/journey-mapping/define-intention-and-audience)
- [Start Your Journey Map](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/journey-mapping/start-your-journey-map)
- [Craft Your Journey Map](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/journey-mapping/craft-your-journey-map)
- [Run a Journey Mapping Workshop](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/journey-mapping/run-a-journey-mapping-workshop)
- [Get to Know Different Kinds of Prototyping](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/design-strategy-prototyping/get-to-know-different-kinds-of-prototyping)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 23 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Strategy Designer pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams