Tool 31: Circle Response

AKA

N/A

Classification

Data Collecting (DC)

Tool description

The circle response technique is ideal for quickly collecting data from participants without forming a team or setting up a session for this purpose. A facilitator or trainer uses this impromptu method to get a response from each participant on a stated question or issue.

Typical application

• To acquire on-the-spot responses or ideas from a group of participants.

• To promote involvement of all participants in a learning process.

• To check what, individually, participants can contribute.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
→	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
1	Creativity/innovation
4	Engineering
	Project management
5	Manufacturing
3	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
6	Servicing/support
	Customer/quality metrics
2	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Audience Analysis

• Buzz Group

• Different Point of View

• Run-It-By

• Surveying

after

• Consensus Decision Making

• Circles of knowledge

• Thematic Content Analysis

• What-If Analysis

• Idea Advocate

Notes and key points

• If there are more than 20 participants, have some participants work together in pairs and input a joint idea or response.

• Establish a time limit of 30 seconds per person to generate an idea or response.

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 The facilitator or trainer asks participants to form a circle so that every one can see and hear each other.

• STEP 2 On a flip chart, a question or issue is displayed to participants. Everyone is asked to respond with an answer or idea to recommend. See example Recommendations to Review the Literature.

• STEP 3 The facilitator explains the procedure, mentions that they have only about a minute to respond, and explains that no evaluation or interruptions will be allowed.

• STEP 4 Starting with one participant and moving around the circle, everyone gives his or her input, which is recorded on a flip chart.

• STEP 5 Once every participant has responded, the facilitator summarizes the data and ends the session by thanking each participant and suggesting that this process may be repeated.

Example of tool application