The charm is that you’re not relying on another dull matrix (like the SWOT) but actually going through an imaginary journey that engages us to think outside of our typical thought patterns. This will already help to take away some reservations with participants who are dreading another tireless SWOT analysis exercise (or other similar exercises). It is an interesting alternative (like the adventure and hot air balloon as well) to the more analytical/rational original team canvas.
Just gather all participants and collect their input step-by-step in the process.



Discourage long discussions and make clear a lot of input is preferred in this stage of the session.
What you can also do, is to have multiple smaller exercises (e.g. a purpose and culture exercise) and eventually bring them together onto the central visualization.
- Team goals (arrow): The tangible/intangible outcomes/goals of this team/project. A tangible outcome would be a specific end result (e.g. “customer retention”, “validated app”), an intangible outcome would be more of a feeling (e.g. “all customers feels they were heard and respected”)
- Energy source: What generates energy in the group? What gets everyone going?
- Team (or: team and stakeholders or: driver and team members): You can either use the people on the bus to describe the team or you can use the driver for the team and the others to describe your stakeholders or you can use the driver as a metaphor for who is the navigator and/or how the team chooses direction (and the others on the bus to describe who is on the team and what roles, values, skills they bring to the team). In describing the team, it would make sense to talk about team values, culture, etcetera. You can even use a simple- or full empathy map for either the team or the stakeholders.
- Team values (sun): what are the values / culture elements that are recognised bu the team members and that we live by?
- Expectations (the cloud): What expectations do we have as a team and/or organization (including the stakeholders)? You can consider using the stinky/smelly fish structure to get negative expectations.
- Obstacles (pothole): Use this to roughly describe the steps towards the end goal, the summit, and/or the most notable obstacles along the way. What would prevent the team to reach the goal?
- Trouble (the mud that hits the back of the bus): What will we do when the shit hits the “van”?
Make sure people are able to see each the Team canvas bus mapping. A large wall or whiteboard, the floor, or a surface you can beam on is usually best.
Alternatively, use a 1-2-4-all structure to generate ideas.
- Make sure you don’t end up in long conversations but collect a lot of input from all participants.