Why I Believe the Brown Paper Exercise Is a Game-Changer

In today’s fast-paced business environment, teams can easily feel overwhelmed by complex processes and digital overload. That’s why I find the Brown Paper Exercise such a bracing, effective reset—stripping back to a tactile, visible, and highly collaborative method to understand how work actually gets done.

At its simplest, a Brown Paper Exercise involves mapping processes on large sheets—often brown paper—using markers and sticky notes. This low-tech, hands-on approach forces teams to lay out workflows visually, revealing inefficiencies and opportunities that remain hidden via screens or static documents.

Why It Works So Well

First, it aligns with how most people learn best. Visual processing is far more effective than text—humans absorb graphical information much faster, and around 65% are visual learners. By giving teams a physical canvas, the exercise injects clarity, engagement, and creative energy into process mapping.

Second, it’s deeply collaborative. A Brown Paper Exercise brings cross-functional stakeholders together to co-create the map, so insights come not just from observers but from people who live the process daily. This inclusive approach fosters buy-in and ensures that improvements have both alignment and ownership.

And the speed of impact is impressive. In just one session, teams often identify dozens of fixes—sometimes offsetting the entire workshop cost on the first day. Group50 even cites an order-to-cash case where 160 process gaps were revealed in four days, driving 30% productivity gains and millions of dollars in annual savings.

A Personal Perspective

From my own experience, digital dashboards and flowcharts often fail to capture the messy reality of workflows. It’s only when you see steps sprawled across a wall—drawn, moved, annotated—that the real pain points surface. Handoff delays, outdated steps, redundant loops—they jump out. The Brown Paper approach turns passive observations into active, visible learning.

Moreover, the process is energizing. Team members who might otherwise stay silent are drawn in to write, stick, and share. There’s an immediacy that emails or PDFs just can’t replicate. And because everyone participates, the resulting map reflects a shared understanding, not just one person’s view.

Balancing Creativity and Rigor

Some might worry that such a rough and ready method lacks precision. But that’s the point—the initial goal isn’t polished documentation, but uncovering truths in a raw, unfiltered way. Later, teams can convert findings into more formal value-stream maps or digital models. The Brown Paper Exercise acts as the catalyst—the spark that defines scope, surface insights, and energize change.

Tips for a Successful Session

If you’re planning your own Brown Paper session, here are some ideas I’ve found helpful—based on Group50’s and other practitioners’ guidance:

• Define clear objectives. Know whether you’re outlining an entire workflow, diagnosing order-to-cash, or exploring customer-centric processes.

• Gather the right mix. Invite participants who are process owners as well as those with fresh perspectives. A balanced group ensures completeness.

• Set the stage. You need enough space for the paper to be spread and moved—whether on a wall or table. Comfortable access is key.

• Use color and structure. Differentiating issues, steps, and ideas using sticky-note colors or icons helps maintain clarity during the mapping and critique phases.

• Facilitate consciously. A neutral guide can prompt deeper questions and challenge assumptions without bias.

• Follow up. After the session, formalize findings into action plans or value-stream diagrams to sustain momentum.

Why I Recommend It

There’s something simple yet radical about bringing your team together, roll out some paper, and ask, “Show me how we work.” No fancy tools, no remote dashboards—just people and flow. It’s raw, real, and revealing. That’s the magic of the Brown Paper Exercise for me.

To me, the best innovations aren’t always high-tech—they’re high-touch. When organizations need clarity, alignment, and actionable insight, this method delivers on all counts. It’s fast, engaging, and surprisingly affordable—tap into the collective wisdom of your organization and you’ll find the barriers—and the solutions—are often right in front of you.