Parking Lot
A facilitation tool for capturing off-topic ideas, questions, or tangents without derailing the main discussion. A designated area — the 'parking lot' — is visible to all. Items parked there are acknowledged as valid but explicitly set aside for later. It keeps sessions on track while honouring every contribution.
How to run it
- 1
Before the session, designate a visible area on the board as the 'Parking Lot' (or Bike Rack).
- 2
Explain its purpose: 'If something important comes up that's off-agenda, we park it here and come back to it.'
- 3
When a tangent or off-topic question arises, acknowledge it: 'Great point — let's park that and make sure we come back to it.'
- 4
Write or have the participant write the item on a sticky note and place it in the parking lot.
- 5
At the end of the session, review the parking lot. Address each item: answer now, schedule for later, or acknowledge it's out of scope.
Tips
Never leave a parked item unaddressed at the end — it signals that the parking lot is where ideas go to die.
Even saying 'We've noted this and will follow up via email' is enough.
Don't overuse it to silence legitimate in-topic discussion.
Variations
Use different coloured sticky notes for different types of items: questions (yellow), ideas (blue), risks (red). For remote sessions, use a dedicated digital board section.
Where it fits
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