Taken from the Liberating Structures collection, this is a simple technique with which a large crowd can generate and sort ideas for action in a relative short time. It is originally meant to spread innovations "out and up". In this case, they are used as part of an evaluation: Every participant writes an opinion on a card, all of which are rated by the group, in a process that helps identify the most interesting ones - according go the group itself. After a few rounds in which participants see what other persons have written, and rate all contributions, the opinions with the top ten scores are identified and shared with the whole group.
WHEN TO USE IT AND WHY
Without taking too much time, this evaluation technique can be used at the end of a meeting, or at the end of a day/session. One of the main advantages of this technique is that everyone is included and participates at the same time, and everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute. Participants can give an opinion anonymously, something that can be especially useful in a workshop. Other advantages that are mentioned are that this technique:
- helps develop a group's ability to quickly tap their own very diverse sources of wisdom;
- leads to conclusions which are immediately recognised as valid, as they are generated transparently form within the group (without external advice);
- sparks synergy among participants;
- encourages everyone to think boldly and come up with opinions or ideas which they may otherwise not dare to share;
- creates an environment in which opinions and ideas can bubble up.
HOW TO
- Every participant gets a card, and writes his or her opinion in it (which can also be the answer to a specific question: "whet did you think of...?");
- Standing all together, they all mill around and the cards are passed from person to person, many times. When the bell rings, people stop passing cards and read the card in his or her hands, without taking to each other;
- Individually, each participant rates the opinion on the card he or she is holding with a score of 1 to 5 (1 for low and 5 for high) and write the score on the back of the card;
- When the bell rings, cards are passed around a second time for many times until the bell rings again, and the cards are scored for a second time. This is done five times, with each card being scored five times by different participants;
- At the end of the fifth round, participants add the five scores on the back of the last card they are holding. Finally, the ideas/opinions with the top ten scores are identified and shared with the whole group.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
- An open space, without chairs or tables
- Participants
- Cards, pens
- A facilitator or guide
MORE INFORMATION / SOURCE
- Liberating Structures, a set of "easy-to-learn microstructures that enhance relational coordination and trust, foster lively participation in groups of any size, making it possible to truly include and unleash everyone".