User Experience Fishbowl
A small group of people who have direct, hands-on experience with a particular challenge sit in an inner circle and have a conversation with each other while a larger group observes from an outer circle. The people in the middle talk about what they did, what worked, what failed, and what they learned, as if the audience were not there. The outer circle listens, notices patterns, and then generates questions.
✓ Created by former KPMG & McKinsey consultants
What You'll Achieve with the User Experience Fishbowl Workshop
Real outcomes that transform your team
Participants gain insights from real experiences rather than theoretical presentations.
Encourages open dialogue that fosters empathy and understanding across roles.
When to Use the User Experience Fishbowl Workshop
Perfect for these situations and team challenges
When a small group has valuable field experience that needs to be shared with the wider team.
To spread knowledge about a new practice or approach without formal presentations.
How the User Experience Fishbowl Workshop Works
A step-by-step breakdown of the workshop process
1Setup
Identify the topic or challenge, select participants for the inner circle, brief them on their roles, and arrange the room accordingly.
2Step 1: Frame the Session
Welcome the group, explain the fishbowl format and rules, and set expectations for both circles regarding their roles during the session.
3Step 2: Inner Circle Conversation
Invite the inner circle to discuss their experiences naturally without addressing the outer circle, allowing for an open conversation about successes and failures.
4Step 3: Outer Circle Question Generation
Pause the inner circle and prompt the outer circle to generate questions in small groups based on their observations during the conversation.
Key Topics Covered in the User Experience Fishbowl Workshop
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