As Scrum practitioners aim to get their Certified Scrum Professional – ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) certification, there is a growing awareness of the need to understand different facilitation techniques that are alternatives to open discussions. Open discussion is a popular way to exchange ideas in a scrum team setting; however, it can sometimes lead to dominant voices overtaking the conversation or certain ideas not getting the necessary attention. Here, we’ll delve into three alternatives to open discussion – Structured go-arounds, Brainstorming, and Appreciative Inquiry; frameworks that can be implemented in scrum ceremonies to ensure that collaboration and problem-solving happen effectively.

Table of Contents

1. Structured Go-Arounds

Structured go-arounds is a meeting facilitation method that ensures every participant gets an equal opportunity to speak, and that everyone’s ideas are heard. This method encourages all team members to contribute without interruption, with each given a turn to share their thoughts and perspectives. This method revolves around the principle of equal participation and aims at curtailing centralization of conversation among only a few people.

Example:
During a sprint retrospective, instead of an open discussion, a ScrumMaster could ask every team member to share one improvement they believe would benefit the team. The structured go-around would mean each person gets to speak individually, thereby promoting inclusivity and giving the quieter team members a chance to express their views.

2. Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a creative problem-solving method widely used in agile practices to stimulate fresh ideas from team members. It not only encourages innovative thinking but also promotes team collaboration. Though brainstorming can be performed individually, it yields maximum benefits when performed in groups where people vibing off each other’s ideas can lead to proposing creative and productive solutions.

Example:
Suppose the team is facing challenges in enhancing the product’s performance. Instead of an open discussion on the issue, the ScrumMaster initiates a brainstorming session, inviting all to think creatively and look out-of-the-box to come up with potential solutions.

3. Appreciative Inquiry

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a method focused on identifying the team’s strengths and leveraging them to overcome the weaknesses. The main idea of AI is to make the scrum members appreciate what works well in the team and then to amplify it to overshadow the negatives. This method usually involves four steps: Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny.

Example:
In a retrospective meeting, instead of focusing on what went wrong, the ScrumMaster encourages the team to acknowledge and explore what has worked well so far, fostering a positive environment. The team then tries to further improve by envisioning how they would like future sprints to look (Dream), plans how to make this dream a reality (Design), and finally commits to implementing these plans in the upcoming sprint (Destiny).

In conclusion, while open conversations provide more organic, flexible forms of communication, it’s essential for CSP-SM aspirants and professionals to recognize and understand when alternative methods can yield better results in facilitating team meetings and discussions.

Discussion Method Advantage Best used when…
Structured go-arounds Provides equal opportunity for participation. There are quieter team members who don’t usually contribute to open discussions.
Brainstorming Stimulates fresh and innovative ideas. The team faces challenges and needs creative solutions.
Appreciative Inquiry Fosters a positive and appreciative environment. Focusing on team’s strength and leveraging them to overcome weaknesses.

Knowing when to use these different methods will only enhance your proficiency as a ScrumMaster and steer your scrum team towards successful collaborations and results.

Practice Test

True or False: ‘Brainstorming’ is an alternative to open discussion in the Scrum framework.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True.

Explanation: Brainstorming is a commonly used technique to generate numerous ideas and encourage free thinking, which contributes to effective decision-making within a Scrum team.

A technique where team members anonymously give their opinions is known as Delphi technique. True or False?

  • True
  • False

Answer: True.

Explanation: The Delphi technique is a strategy used to reach a consensus after collecting opinions of the team members anonymously.

Which of the following is/are alternative(s) to open discussion?

  • a) Brainstorming
  • b) Delphi Technique
  • c) Nominal Group Technique
  • d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above.

Explanation: All these methods serve as effective alternatives to open discussion by promoting idea generation, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Offering suggestions and ideas in rapid succession is a characteristic of which technique?

  • a) Open discussion
  • b) Brainstorming
  • c) Nominal Group Technique
  • d) Delphi Technique

Answer: b) Brainstorming.

Explanation: Brainstorming encourages rapid idea generation, with each team member building on ideas proposed by others.

True or False: The Nominal Group Technique encourages each member to submit their own ideas independently.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True.

Explanation: The Nominal Group Technique is a structured method for encouraging all members to submit their ideas independently.

Which of the following is not an alternative to open discussion?

  • a) Fishbowl Technique
  • b) Round-robin Technique
  • c) Delphi Technique
  • d) Brainstorming

Answer: b) Round-robin Technique.

Explanation: Round-robin is not an commonly used alternative for open discussion in Scrum framework.

True or False: The Fishbowl Technique limits the number of individuals participating in a conversation at any given time.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True.

Explanation: In the Fishbowl technique, the number of active participants in the discussion is usually limited to keep the conversation focused and manageably paced.

The Delphi technique requires all participants to be physically present in the same location. True or False?

  • True
  • False

Answer: False.

Explanation: The Delphi technique is designed to gather opinions and consensus remotely, making physical presence unnecessary.

Brainstorming encourages:

  • a) Groupthink
  • b) Conflict and disagreement
  • c) Free thinking and idea generation
  • d) Prolonged discussion

Answer: c) Free thinking and idea generation.

Explanation: Brainstorming serves to generate a high volume of diverse ideas within a short period.

The Nominal Group Technique involves ranking ideas or solutions based on their importance. True or False?

  • True
  • False

Answer: True.

Explanation: The Nominal Group Technique often involves giving each idea a rank or priority as part of the decision-making process.

The Fishbowl Technique can be used to:

  • a) Promote open discussion
  • b) Limit conversation participants
  • c) Encourage expert input
  • d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above.

Explanation: The Fishbowl Technique allows a small group to discuss an issue while the rest observe, listening to expert inputs and enabling a controlled open discussion.

The main benefit of the Delphi technique is:

  • a) Speed
  • b) Anonymity
  • c) Collaboration
  • d) Open discussion

Answer: b) Anonymity.

Explanation: The Delphi technique allows participants to provide their inputs anonymously, which can be particularly useful when dealing with sensitive issues.

Which among these techniques is exceptionally useful when there are power dynamics in the group?

  • a) Brainstorming
  • b) Delphi Technique
  • c) Nominal Group Technique
  • d) Fishbowl Technique

Answer: b) Delphi Technique.

Explanation: The Delphi Technique’s anonymous input collection can help mitigate power dynamics, as it shields individual identities, thereby avoiding bias or influence.

True or False: Alternatives to open discussions discourage collaboration.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False.

Explanation: These alternatives foster different ways of collaboration, focusing on equal participation, creativity, and consensus-building, rather than discouraging it.

Which of the following techniques should be refrained from using in situations where direct interaction is crucial?

  • a) Brainstorming
  • b) Delphi Technique
  • c) Nominal Group Technique
  • d) Fishbowl Technique

Answer: b) Delphi Technique.

Explanation: The Delphi Technique lacks direct interaction as it collects individual inputs anonymously, making it less suitable for situations where direct dialogues and interactions are crucial.

Interview Questions

What is the Fishbowl conversation method as an alternative to open discussions?

The Fishbowl conversation method involves a small group of people discussing a topic while a larger group observes from the outside. The people in the observer group can join the inner circle or fishbowl if they have something to contribute.

How does Lean Coffee differentiate from open discussion meetings?

The Lean Coffee is a structured, but agenda-less meeting. Participants gather, build an agenda, and start discussing. Conversations are directed and productive because the agenda for the meeting was democratically generated.

Can you describe what the World Cafe method is and how it works?

The World Cafe is a process of facilitating open discussion in which participants discuss a topic at several tables, with individuals switching tables periodically and getting introduced to the previous discussion at their new table by a “table host”.

In terms of alternatives to open discussion, what is the role of the facilitator in a World Cafe discussion?

The facilitator’s role is to guide the process, encourage everyone to participate, and ensure that each participant’s ideas are heard. They also manage time and keep track of the transitions between the tables.

How does the Liberating Structures method differ from conventional open discussions?

Liberating Structures method introduces tiny shifts in the way teams meet, plan, decide, and relate to each other. It puts the innovative power once reserved for experts only, in the hands of everyone.

Can you explain the concept of “Open Space Technology” as an alternative to open discussion?

Open Space Technology is a method used to organize meetings or multi-day conferences where participants have been invited to identify issues and opportunities related to a given theme, discuss these in depth, and take necessary action steps.

In terms of alternatives to regular open meetings, how do Round-Robin meetings function?

Round-Robin meetings allow each participant to share their thoughts and ideas one at a time. This ensures that all participants have an equal opportunity to contribute to the discussion and prevents more dominant personalities from taking over the meeting.

What is the key differentiation of the Dotmocracy method from commonplace open discussions?

Dotmocracy is a method which provides a visible way to record decisions, preferences, or feedback that can be used for ranking a list of options. This method makes it quickly evident which options are most popular.

What is the benefit of using the Decider Protocol over an open discussion?

The Decider Protocol offers a quick procedure for reaching consensus within a team. It provides fast, democratic decision-making that supports action and prevents endless debate.

How does the Samoan Circle differentiate from typical open discussions?

The Samoan Circle is a variant of the Fishbowl conversation method where an inner circle has a discussion, observed by an outer circle. A participant in the outer circle can join the discussion in the inner circle by claiming a vacant chair. This promotes a focused and managed conversation.

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