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Problem SolvingIntermediate

Temperature Check

Temperature Check helps visualise the feelings and opinions within a group. This activity encourages everyone to express their sentiments, making sure all voices are visible and acknowledged.

Duration
20m–45m
Group size
4+ people
CCBY-SA 4.0

How to run it

  1. 1

    Ask participants to line up straight in the middle of the space, standing shoulder to shoulder.

  2. 2

    Explain that this activity aims to visually capture everyone's thoughts without the need for consensus.

  3. 3

    Designate one end of the room as 'hot' and the other as 'cold'.

  4. 4

    Read out a series of yes/no statements.

  5. 5

    Participants will move along the line to indicate their feelings about each statement, standing closer to hot for agreement and cold for disagreement.

  6. 6

    Encourage participants to observe where others stand before reflecting on their own positions.

  7. 7

    Debrief as a group about the experience and any insights gathered.

Tips

  • Create a safe environment by establishing ground rules for respectful listening.

  • Encourage participants to share their reasoning after the statements to foster deeper understanding.

  • Be mindful of the physical space to avoid crowding and ensure everyone can easily participate.

Variations

Adjust the spectrum to include more gradations, such as 'warm' and 'cool', for more nuanced feedback. Alternatively, use specific themes for the statements related to the group's work.

Where it fits

team alignmentemotional check-inproject retrospectivesstakeholder meetingsgroup brainstorming
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Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from SessionLab. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Temperature Check — Facilitation Method | Workshop Weaver