Walking questions
This method encourages participants to collaboratively explore open questions and generate diverse ideas. It shifts the responsibility for generating answers from the facilitator to the group, leveraging collective insights.
How to run it
- 1
At the end of a training session, have each participant write an open question on a sheet of paper.
- 2
They should pass the paper to the person on their right, receiving a question from the left.
- 3
Participants read the received question and jot down their thoughts or answers on the same sheet, including their name for follow-up.
- 4
If someone has no input, they pass the sheet to the next person without writing anything.
- 5
Continue passing sheets until everyone gets back their original paper.
Tips
Encourage participants to provide diverse and creative responses.
Remind everyone that there are no wrong answers; all contributions are valid.
Keep the atmosphere light and supportive to foster openness.
Variations
This method can be adapted for online formats using collaborative documents or virtual breakout rooms.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Walking questions?â–¾
Use Walking questions when you want to: team kickoff; retrospective closing; brainstorming session; problem-solving workshop.
How long does Walking questions take?â–¾
Walking questions typically takes 15–20 minutes.
How many participants does Walking questions work for?â–¾
Walking questions works best for groups of 5–10 participants.
What materials do I need for Walking questions?â–¾
Walking questions requires no special materials — just participants and a space.
How difficult is Walking questions to facilitate?â–¾
Walking questions is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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Try it freeMethod 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.