Learn to use game elements and game design techniques in non-game contexts.

Lean Gamification Design is a lightweight method, with a practical toolset, for building gamified solutions with teams of 2 to 9 people.

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Make gamification design simpler

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What is gamification?

Gamification is the use of game elements and game design techniques in non-game contexts. It can be applied as an innovation element within the product life cycle or to solve motivation and engagement challenges.

It is a powerful tool for behavior change in many contexts: business, education, health, social impact and more.

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What is Lean Gamification Design?

Lean Gamification Design (LGD) is a lightweight method that simplifies gamification design and establishes a toolset based on gamification best practices, strongly influenced by approaches such as Lean Startup and Design Thinking.

It is designed for teams of 2 to 9 people and can be combined with approaches such as Design Thinking, Design Sprint, Lean Inception and PBB.

The 4 phases of LGD

From understanding the player to the playtest, each phase sets up the next.

  1. 1. START

    This is the moment to get to know the Player (persona), understand the context and define the challenge. We dive deep into the motivation and engagement challenge and explore the player profile: motivations, behaviors and needs.

  2. 2. DEFINE

    Time to identify the most relevant player metrics, create the journey, set the victory conditions, choose the game mechanics and define the features, rules, triggers and incentives.

  3. 3. EMULATE

    This is where we create the gamification prototype. The goal is to explore the solution in a practical, hands-on way and prepare for the first playtest.

  4. 4. REVIEW

    The grand finale of the LGD method, where we run the playtest and demo the gamified solution. The goal is to get feedback, learn and evolve the gamification proposal.

Download the method and templates

The Lean Gamification Design facilitation guide and templates, free. Version 1.5, as a .zip file on Google Drive.

Download LGD v1.5 (opens in a new tab)

What people say about our workshop

“I loved it! In the end, one of my team members came up with a nice, feasible proposal for a real problem he had brought.”

Claudia Rojas Sugai
Marketing Manager
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“…Gamification is one of those new methodologies that stands out for awakening a greater sense of collaboration. Even at a distance, I’m sure the content was very well absorbed! Now it’s time to put it into practice!”

Pablo Carvalho
Project Manager

“Eight intense hours with lots of hands-on learning! Time flies, with plenty of interaction among participants!”

Cláudia Anania
Scrum Master

“A great opportunity to turn a problem into a game, to find solutions and engage people.”

Andrea Maruyama Francisco
Agile Coach

“An innovative methodology to turn problems into solutions that engage and motivate.”

Marcio Rosales
Engineer and Innovation Evangelist
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“A really nice, engaging course… I had lots of insights!”

Deborah Zapata
Agile Thinker

Who has used LGD in practice

Organizations that have used LGD: B3, GFT, Banco do Brasil, MBI UFSCar, Caixa and GPP Consultoria e Treinamento

The Gamification League

The facilitation team that leads the Lean Gamification Design community.

  • Pixel art avatar of Júlio Oliveira

    Júlio Oliveira

    Creator of the LGD method

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    Agilist and gamification specialist who has worked for multinational companies such as Rede Globo, Volkswagen, Toyota, Bradesco, CIELO, GFT Group and B3. Creator of the Lean Gamification Design method.

    Degree in Computer Network Administration, postgraduate degree in Software Process Management, MBA in Project Management and Master’s in Information Systems Management from the University of Liverpool (United Kingdom).

  • Pixel art avatar of Roger Hainz

    Roger Hainz

    Psychologist and game designer

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    Application engineer, psychologist, entrepreneur and game designer with experience in public institutions and national and multinational companies. Designer of dozens of games, including board games, card games and computer games, he works in career guidance, clinical psychology and civil engineering consulting.

    Degrees in Psychology from UNESP – Assis and Civil Engineering from ESAMC – Sorocaba. Currently studying Systems Analysis and Development at FATEC – Sorocaba.

  • Pixel art avatar of Natan Santana

    Natan Santana

    Official LGD facilitator

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    Undergraduate student in Software Engineering at UnB and software development intern at CI&T. He has worked on several gamification and board game design projects at the junior company Orc’estra Gamificação and at Skillab Training and Gamification. Gamification specialist and official Lean Gamification Design (LGD) facilitator.

  • Pixel art avatar of Matheus Fonseca

    Matheus Fonseca

    Learning specialist

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    Musician as a hobby, educator by purpose, athlete by passion, user advocate by mindset and developer by tool. He has worked as a UX content writer and learning designer for teachers at Tera, and as a training analyst at Itaú Unibanco. He is currently a Learning Specialist at Exame, helping this renowned magazine, over 50 years old, build a new online courses area.

    Psychology degree from USP – Universidade de São Paulo. He is also an “astronaut” in UFSCar’s MBI and a cadet in the first class of École 42 in Brazil.

  • Pixel art avatar of Márcio Rosales

    Márcio Rosales

    Technological innovation

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    Specialist in technological innovation and fundraising for R&D projects, he has worked at large companies such as Bosch and Caterpillar and as a researcher at CNPEM, the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials. He is a founding partner of Brazitec Tecnologia em Materiais, funding specialist at ABGI, and professor and executive coordinator of the UFSCar MBI.

    Degree in Materials Engineering from UFSCar, postgraduate degree in Financial Management from ESAMC and PhD from the Federal University of São Carlos, with an emphasis on Technological Development.

  • Pixel art avatar of Kleber Rodrigues

    Kleber Rodrigues

    Agile coach

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    Gamer, board gamer and film buff, he works as an Agile Coach, using gamification as a way to drive engagement and learning in the co-creation, delivery and closing of complex projects. As an educator in agile methods and approaches, he helps people innovate and teaches them to solve complex problems creatively, making data-driven decisions.

    Master’s student in Management, Work and Organizations Technology at UTFPR. Degree in Business Administration from UNICURITIBA and postgraduate degree in People Management and Leadership.

  • Pixel art avatar of Marcos Araujo

    Marcos Araujo

    Software engineer and professor

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    Software engineer with more than 25 years of experience leading and developing digital products. He facilitates lean-agile culture for building complex products, aligning leaders, teams and companies around problem solving through agile practices and continuous improvement.

    University professor for more than 20 years in undergraduate, specialization and master’s programs in computer science, engineering, health and business administration.

Upcoming workshops

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Lean Gamification Design Workshop

Online classes in 2027

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Get in touch

Questions about the method, workshops or partnerships? Write to

contato@leangamification.design