Fishbowl

Goals

  • Deep-dive into selected topic of high importance by group of interest
    • Well defined list of expectations
    • Vision of desired outcome
  • Enabling all participants to voice their opinions over key topics
  • Deepens participants observation skills

Participants

  • Group of interest
  • Moderator Scrum Master

Prerequisites

  • Before start refresh relevant knowledge among participants

Room and items needed

  • Room to sit in two concentric circles
  • Post-its, flipchart

Scenario description

Duration: 60 mins

Outcome: Ideas for action items

5 mins - Set the stage

  • Explain meeting goals to the group
  • Arrange two-three (more in bigger groups) participants in closer circle with a flipchart - they are ment to engage in a discussion
  • Number of inner circle participants is constans over time.
  • Rest of the group will take notes, after set time or by safeword we change participangs of inner circle

5 mins - Initial problem definition and chosing first speakers

15 mins - Discussion

Outcome: list of ideas about topic For participants in inner circle:

  • Discuss actions and possible consequences - gains and risks
  • Write up key points, required resources
  • After half time one can change with person from outer circle For participants as observators:
  • Don’t engage in discussion until let in inner circle
  • Write out ideas, actions, or key points, etc. and gather on flipchart

15 mins - Reflect on discussion

Group and sort notes from both groups, prioritize. For new, briefly discuss:

  • What difference would that make
  • Do we have list of risks
  • What are the trade-offs to take account for
  • Is there underlying proccess to uncover

15 mins - Discussion - part II

Mix up participants. Part II is more for in-depth discussion about key chosen points only, focus.
For each key-point change set for inner circle. For participants in inner circle:

  • What are short term costs
  • What are long term gains
  • Is it worth it
  • How much is it aligned with our values
  • What would be the costs/consequences
  • What are the risks
  • What can we learn from that For all - decide on most decent solution/action from defined pool

5 mins - Closing

Assure that group understands made decisions, actions taken are smart, and are not overkill for the participants to do.

Helpful information