FigJam for brainstorming in Figma - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - FigJam for brainstorming

Goal

How can a team use FigJam to brainstorm ideas effectively and organize them visually?

Sample Data: Brainstorming Ideas

Idea ID	Idea	Category	Votes	Status
1	New mobile app feature	Product	5	Open
2	Improve website UX	Design	8	Open
3	Launch marketing campaign	Marketing	3	Open
4	Customer feedback survey	Research	6	Closed
5	Automate reporting	Operations	4	Open
6	Team training sessions	HR	7	Open
7	New pricing model	Product	2	Closed

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Ideas - Count of all ideas (7)
• KPI Card: Open Ideas - Count where Status = 'Open' (5)
• Bar Chart: Votes by Category - Sum of Votes grouped by Category
  Formula: SUM(Votes) grouped by Category
  Result example: Design=8, HR=7, Product=7, Research=6, Operations=4, Marketing=3
• Pie Chart: Idea Status Distribution - Count of ideas by Status
  Formula: COUNT(Idea ID) grouped by Status
  Result example: Open=5, Closed=2
• Table: Ideas Detail - Shows Idea, Category, Votes, Status

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+-----------------------+
| Total Ideas (KPI)    | Open Ideas (KPI)      |
+----------------------+-----------------------+
|                                              |
|      Bar Chart: Votes by Category             |
|                                              |
+----------------------+-----------------------+
|                                              |
|      Pie Chart: Idea Status Distribution      |
|                                              |
+----------------------+-----------------------+
|                                              |
|           Table: Ideas Detail                  |
|                                              |
+----------------------------------------------+
  

Interactivity

Filter by Category or Status using slicers. Selecting a category updates the Bar Chart, Pie Chart, and Table to show only ideas in that category. Selecting a status (Open or Closed) filters all components to show only ideas with that status. The KPI cards update counts accordingly.

Self Check

If you add a filter for Status = 'Open', which components update and what changes occur?

• KPI Cards: Total Ideas changes to 5, Open Ideas stays 5
• Bar Chart: Shows votes only for open ideas categories
• Pie Chart: Shows only 'Open' slice (100%)
• Table: Lists only ideas with Status 'Open'

Key Result

A FigJam brainstorming dashboard showing idea counts, votes by category, status distribution, and detailed idea list with interactive filters.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of FigJam in a team setting?

easy

A. To create detailed financial reports

B. To write complex code collaboratively

C. To help teams brainstorm and organize ideas visually

D. To manage project timelines automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand FigJam's core function

   FigJam is designed as a visual tool for brainstorming and collaboration.

2. Step 2: Match the purpose with options

   Only To help teams brainstorm and organize ideas visually describes brainstorming and organizing ideas visually, which fits FigJam's purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To help teams brainstorm and organize ideas visually -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   FigJam = Brainstorming tool [OK]

Hint: FigJam is for visual idea sharing, not coding or reports [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing FigJam with coding tools
• Thinking FigJam manages timelines
• Assuming FigJam creates financial reports

2. Which of the following is the correct way to add a sticky note in FigJam?

easy

A. Click the sticky note icon and then click on the canvas

B. Type addSticky() in the console

C. Drag a shape from the toolbar and rename it

D. Right-click and select 'Insert Table'

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to add sticky notes in FigJam

   FigJam uses a sticky note icon to add notes visually on the canvas.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this method

   Click the sticky note icon and then click on the canvas correctly describes clicking the sticky note icon and placing it on the canvas.

3. Final Answer:

   Click the sticky note icon and then click on the canvas -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Sticky note icon click = Add note [OK]

Hint: Use the sticky note icon, not code or tables [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to add sticky notes via code
• Confusing shapes with sticky notes
• Looking for table insertion instead

3. Given a FigJam board with 3 sticky notes connected by arrows, what does this setup best represent?

medium

A. A list of tasks with deadlines

B. A sequence of related ideas or steps

C. A random collection of unrelated notes

D. A detailed financial chart

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of connected sticky notes

   Connecting sticky notes with arrows shows relationships or flow between ideas.

2. Step 2: Match the setup to the options

   A sequence of related ideas or steps describes a sequence or related ideas, which fits the connected notes.

3. Final Answer:

   A sequence of related ideas or steps -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Connected notes = Related ideas [OK]

Hint: Arrows show flow or connection between ideas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming connections mean deadlines
• Thinking connections are random
• Confusing notes with charts

4. You tried to connect two sticky notes with an arrow but it didn't work. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. Sticky notes cannot be connected with arrows in FigJam

B. The board is locked and cannot be edited

C. You need to write a script to connect notes

D. You didn't select the connector tool before drawing the arrow

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the method to connect sticky notes

   Connecting notes requires selecting the connector tool first.

2. Step 2: Evaluate the options

   You didn't select the connector tool before drawing the arrow correctly identifies the missing step of selecting the connector tool.

3. Final Answer:

   You didn't select the connector tool before drawing the arrow -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Connector tool needed = Connect notes [OK]

Hint: Always select connector tool before linking notes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Believing sticky notes can't connect
• Thinking scripting is needed
• Not checking if board is locked

5. You want to organize a brainstorming session in FigJam with multiple teams contributing ideas. Which approach best ensures clear collaboration?

hard

A. Create separate frames for each team and use connectors to link related ideas

B. Let all teams add sticky notes randomly on one big canvas without structure

C. Use only text boxes without connectors or shapes

D. Export ideas to a spreadsheet and brainstorm there instead

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify best practices for team collaboration in FigJam

   Using frames to separate teams and connectors to show relationships helps organize ideas clearly.

2. Step 2: Compare options for clarity and collaboration

   Create separate frames for each team and use connectors to link related ideas uses structure and visual links, which supports clear teamwork.

3. Final Answer:

   Create separate frames for each team and use connectors to link related ideas -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Frames + connectors = Clear collaboration [OK]

Hint: Use frames and connectors to organize team ideas visually [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Allowing random note placement
• Using only text boxes without visuals
• Switching tools mid-brainstorm