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Chat Waterfall

A rapid-response technique where participants type their answers to a prompt in the chat but wait for the facilitator's signal to press 'Enter.' This creates a 'waterfall' of responses that prevents groupthink and ensures simultaneous contribution.

5-10 min5-500 peopleEasy
When to Use

To gather a high volume of ideas or feedback quickly while ensuring that quiet voices aren't influenced by dominant ones.

How It Works

Solves: Groupthink and the tendency for the first person's answer to bias everyone else's response.

Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to facilitate this method
  1. 1

    Step 1: Pose a clear, open-ended question to the group (1 minute).

  2. 2

    Step 2: Instruct everyone to type their answer in the chat but NOT to press enter yet (2 minutes).

  3. 3

    Step 3: On a count of three, have everyone press 'Enter' at the same time and read through the results (2-5 minutes).

Facilitator Tips
  • Use this to check for understanding or to brainstorm solutions to a specific problem.
  • Read out a few diverse responses once the waterfall happens to validate contributions.
Variations
  • Two-stage waterfall: First stage for challenges, second stage for potential solutions.
Source: Virtual Facilitation Best PracticesLearn more