Method · Discussion and ideas

Round robin: how to run it

Go round the group in order and give everyone the same short turn to speak — so every voice is heard once before anyone speaks twice.

25 minutes4 stepsDiscussion and ideas
Other methods

When it helps

Use it to open or close a meeting, to gather views on a question quickly, or whenever a few people tend to do all the talking.

When to use something else

Skip it for large groups unless you split them; twenty turns of a minute each is a long time. Let people pass if they have nothing to add.

How to run it, step by step

  1. Set the question and the time2 min
    • One question, one turn each, about a minute.
  2. Go round in order12 min
    • Follow the seating order or a list. No interruptions or replies during turns.
  3. Anyone who passed2 min
    • Offer a second chance to people who passed.
  4. Open discussion9 min
    • Now respond to what you heard.

What comes out — an example

Made up, to show the shape.

Question. What is one thing that would make this project go better?

Turns. 8 people, 1 pass.

Heard twice. Clearer priorities from leadership; fewer status meetings.

Next. Team lead asks leadership for the top three priorities by Friday.

Questions

What is a round robin in a meeting?

Giving each participant a turn to speak in a set order, usually with a time limit, so everyone contributes.

How long should each turn be?

Often 30 seconds to two minutes, depending on the question and the size of the group.

How do you keep round robins from dragging?

Ask one clear question, set a time per turn, allow passes and split big groups.

Who should go first in a round robin?

Not the most senior person — their answer sets the tone for everyone after. Start with someone at random, or use a fair random order, and let the leader speak last.

Other methods

Lean CoffeeA meeting with no agenda until it starts: everybody writes topics, the group votes, and you talk about the most popular ones in short, timed rounds.Fishbowl discussionA few people talk in an inner circle while everyone else listens from around them; listeners can step in by taking an empty chair, so a large group can hold one real conversation.1-2-4-AllEveryone thinks alone, then in pairs, then in fours, then the whole group shares — so every person contributes and the best ideas rise in about twelve minutes.Silent meetingEveryone reads a shared document and writes their questions and comments in it during the meeting, in silence — then talks only about what still needs talking about.Nominal group techniquePeople generate ideas alone and in writing, share them one at a time round the group, discuss them briefly, then rank them privately — so the best ideas win, not the loudest voices.Six Thinking HatsThe group looks at one question from six angles in turn — facts, feelings, risks, benefits, new ideas and process — so everyone thinks the same way at the same time instead of arguing.

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