When brainstorming using open discussions, typically the loudest person in the room takes over and dominates the conversation. Or it might be the most experienced person or the most senior person. Newer folks, less experienced folks, quieter folks, or more introverted participants might not find the necessary space or time to gather their thoughts and share their ideas. Here are 7 facilitation techniques to try instead of open discussions.
1. Silent Writing
Silent writing is useful when participants are on the quiet side and are reluctant to participate in open discussions. With silent writing, the facilitator proposes a topic for discussion and then asks the participants to write down their thoughts about the topic/question on Post-its, one thought per Post-it. The activity is done silently and is time-boxed to a few minutes. When the timebox is over, participants share all their Post-its by placing them on a shared board. The facilitator might analyze the data and group common items together. Then the facilitator works through the post-its one by one, asking the author to clarify what they meant. Using this technique allows all participants the time to gather their thoughts and actively participate in the discussion.
2. Talking Stick
Using a Talking Stick is useful when the discussions get heated and participants speak over each other instead of listening to each other. A facilitator introduces a talking stick, which can be a pen, stick, ruler, ball, etc., and instructs the participants that only the person holding the talking stick is allowed to speak. Everybody else needs to listen. When the person speaking finishes, she hands the stick to the next participant and now that person can speak while everybody else listens and so forth. This way everybody gets a turn and more importantly everyone gets heard.
3. Pairing
Pairing can be used to generate ideas quickly. The facilitator proposes a topic/questions and then breaks up the participants into pairs. Each pair discusses the topic and when the timebox is over, each pair debriefs the result of their discussion.
4. 2-4-2
2-4-2 is used to generate ideas and expand on them by alternating between convergent and divergent thinking. The facilitator proposes a topic/questions and then the participants break up into pairs. Each pair discusses the topic and when the timebox is over, the pairs form quads and debrief in their quads. Once that timebox is over, the group breaks back up into pairs and works through the problem based on the latest debrief, and so on.
5. 1-2-4-All
1-2-4-all combines silent writing and pairing and can be used to generate ideas and reach a consensus quickly. The facilitator proposes a topic for discussion and then asks the participants to silently write down their thoughts about the topic/question. Once the timebox is over, participants form pairs and share their initial ideas for another timed discussion. Once that time box is over, participants form quads, continue sharing, and discussing, then they all vote/agree on the best solution. For larger groups, other options include 1-2-4-8-all or 2-4-8-all.
6. Speed Dating
With speed dating, participants pair up and discuss the question/problem. Each pair has a stationary participant and a rotating participant. When the timebox is over, the rotating participants rotate clockwise to become paired up with someone new. The discussion continues with the new pairs until the timebox is over, and again the rotating participants rotate clockwise. This continues until the original pairs are re-matched up.
7. Brain Writing
Brainwriting combines silent writing and speed dating. The facilitator proposes a topic for discussion and then asks the participants to silently write down their thoughts about the topic/question. Each participant starts with a blank sheet of paper and writes down one thought. When the timebox is over, participants rotate the sheets of paper. Now, each participant has a sheet with an idea already on it. The participant can expand on the idea, or cross it out, and replace it with another idea. This continues until each participant gets back their original sheet of paper. At that point, participants end up with many crossed-out ideas, one or two well-thought-out ideas worth exploring and discussing more.
Start using these techniques to change the group dynamics on your team and learn additional facilitation techniques in the Advanced Certified Scrum Master Class.