# Co-Creation Moving the needle on a complex problem requires an understanding of the great potential of convening people, using effective processes and methodologies. Working with people, and the trust and action of these people, is a key part of tackling a complex problem. In fact, it would be virtually impossible to do it without them. Co-creation (that is, creating something with others towards a mutually valued outcome) can happen across lab activities including to: ### **Co-create new understanding, new challenge framing, new shared visions** * This helps us to understand how and why the system behaves the way it does * It can help to define Collective Impact (who share a common agenda for change) {% content-ref url="/pages/-Lg4DtYbHvcts-moJRe9" %} [Collective Impact](/living-guide-to-social-innovation-labs/doing/co-creation/collective-impact.md) {% endcontent-ref %} * For example, lab participants (with often widely varying or even opposing agendas) can decide on a convening question that outlines a future state that everyone can subscribe to, such as that of the [Energy Futures Lab](https://energyfutureslab.com/steve-williams-visualizing-the-energy-system/): *How can Alberta’s leadership position in today’s energy system serve as a platform for transitioning to the energy system the future needs?* ### **Co-create new solutions** * This includes ideation, design, prototyping, and testing new solutions * Here, we can level-up solutions from basic concepts to first versions, to functional versions, and [minimally-viable prototypes](https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/mvp/#q=~\(infinite~false~filters~\(tags~\(~'mvp\)\)~searchTerm~'~sort~false~sortDirection~'asc~page~1\)) * For example, [RECOVER in Edmonton created a number of prototypes](https://www.urbanwellnessedmonton.com/prototypes-1) to improve urban wellness in the city ### **Co-create change at scale** * Here, we understand the market and systems that can influence the growth and change of the solutions * We can also develop and test business models and a growth strategy for what we are creating --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://mars-solutions-lab.gitbook.io/living-guide-to-social-innovation-labs/doing/co-creation.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.