Method guide · Arrange people and ideas
Small groups and pairs
Run small groups in parallel from the same instructions and return one point each without erasing differences between records.
- People
- 4–60
- Base procedure time
- 30 minutes
- Recording
- Shared record
Purpose: Explore through dialogue; Generate ideas; Organise and narrow ideas.
English guide
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How this method works
A working method for running small groups in parallel from the same instruction sheet and returning key points to everyone in a specified format. Before people move, show the question, end point, and form of the output both orally and on paper. Participants take common instructions to their groups and work simultaneously. Partway through, the facilitator checks only whether records follow the output format. After notice that time is ending, each group circles one point and returns it in one minute, orally or by displaying paper. Pass the groups' records side by side to the next stage, without erasing differences to integrate them into one sheet. Do not use this where confidentiality cannot be supported in each group or separate working spaces cannot be secured.
Phase schedule
Minutes are cumulative from the start of the base plan, not a live timer. Read scaling for any additional time. Phase controls do not advance automatically.
Use the arrow keys, Home or End while these controls have focus. The complete phase schedule remains below, including without JavaScript.
- Show the question, time, and output format0–6 minutes from the start (6 minutes)
Action: Show. Participation: Small groups using common instructions.
Shared record
- Split into groups with common instructions6–9 minutes from the start (3 minutes)
Action: Split. Participation: Small groups using common instructions.
Shared record
- Work and record in parallel9–21 minutes from the start (12 minutes)
Action: Work. Participation: Small groups using common instructions.
Shared record
- Circle one point to return21–24 minutes from the start (3 minutes)
Action: Circle. Participation: Small groups using common instructions.
Shared record
- Return one point each in the specified format24–30 minutes from the start (6 minutes)
Action: Bring together. Participation: Small groups using common instructions.
Shared record
Facilitation steps
- For 6 minutes, before moving, use the common instruction sheet to show the question, end point, and return format, and check through participants repeating them back.
- For 3 minutes, always divide participants into at least two groups of two to ten people, placing instructions, record paper, and pens in each group.
- For 12 minutes, groups work in parallel; after six minutes the facilitator checks that each has one recorded item following the output format.
- For 3 minutes, stop new topics, circle one point on paper to return to everyone, and decide how to return it.
- For 6 minutes, at most six groups each use one minute to return only their circled point, orally or by displaying paper.
If something changes
If
6 minutes after the start, one or more participants cannot repeat back the three points: question, end point, and output to return.
Then
Do not begin grouping. Point to the instruction sheet's three fields and explain again.
If
6 minutes after small-group work begins, one or more groups have a blank record sheet.
Then
Without stopping discussion, ask them first to write one point in the return format.
If
With 9 minutes remaining, one or more groups have not decided their point to return or how to return it.
Then
Stop new topics, circle one point on paper, and select a reporter only if the person wants that role.
Preparation
Materials
- One common instruction sheet per group, with the question, end point, and output format
- One record sheet per group
- 2 broad-tip pens per group
- One timer for everyone
Room and setup
- Space where at most six groups are unlikely to interfere with one another's voices
- Common instructions everyone can read before moving
Adjust for people and time
With 4–20 people, use two groups; with 21–30, three; with 31–40, four; with 41–50, five; and with 51–60, six. Each group has 2–10 people and uses the same output format. At the end, return only one point per group in one minute. Keep group names and points side by side rather than mixing records into one.
Safety and non-applicable situations
Do not run this without separate working spaces and confidentiality support for every group. Check that participants understand the same instructions before grouping. Select a reporter only if they want the role; retain different group records instead of erasing differences through integration.
Manuscript's recorded references
These translate the original manuscript's source and rights claims. They remain separate from any current-page notice below; they do not establish new verification.
- Seeds for Change Facilitation Tools: Small groups and pairs
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/tools
anti-copyright adaptation; changes made
- Conditions for applying anti-copyright
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/resources
anti-copyright
Diagram, print, and video language
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Editorial provenance
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