Implementing the Lotus Blossom Technique to Enhance Collaboration in Software Engineering Education

Enzo Kleinpaul; Alexandre Pires; Lorenzo Campos; Rafael Parizi

doi:10.5753/jbcs.2026.6549

Authors

Enzo Kleinpaul Federal Institute Farroupilha https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3517-1373
Alexandre Pires Federal Institute Farroupilha https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1018-2087
Lorenzo Campos Federal Institute Farroupilha https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7448-5686
Rafael Parizi Federal Institute Farroupilha https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8550-1135

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5753/jbcs.2026.6549

Keywords:

Design Thinking, Lotus Blossom Technique, Collaboration, Software Engineer, Education, Active Learning

Abstract

Collaboration is a cornerstone of both professional software development and Software Engineering Education (SEE). It enables teams to align goals, formulate solutions, and address complex problems, yet it is often hindered by skill gaps, communication barriers, and lack of coordination. Design Thinking (DT) offers techniques to strengthen collaborative work by stimulating idea exchange and promoting equity in participation. Among them, the Lotus Blossom provides a structured and visual approach to idea expansion that supports both divergent and convergent thinking in an accessible way. Despite these potential benefits, its role in SEE, particularly in early stages of software development such as product discovery, remains underexplored. This study investigates how the Lotus Blossom fosters collaboration among undergraduate students in a co-creative product discovery course. Guided by the 3C Collaboration Model, we conducted a 2.5-hour activity with 21 students and assessed collaboration through a post-activity questionnaire. Results indicate that the technique helps students structure ideas, coordinate problem-solving, and establish a foundation for teamwork and shared decision-making. This study validates the Lotus Blossom, and more broadly the collaborative dimension of the DT toolbox, as an effective pedagogical approach for strengthening collaboration in SEE, while also demonstrating its potential to promote teamwork, support problem structuring, and develop soft skills essential for software engineering practice.

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