Have you ever wondered how to get everyone in a group actively thinking, contributing, and building on each other’s ideas, without the discussion getting stuck or dominated by a few voices? In this episode, we explore the bus stop technique, a simple tool for enablers of change that helps structure group work.
The bus stop technique is useful as it helps break a large group into small groups. Each group works on a different question, challenge, or task. After a set time, they move to the next group’s location, what we call a bus stop, where they review, add, question, or amend the work that has already been done there. Groups move around all the bus stops which allows ownership, as well as the ability to build on experience and perspectives. This helps avoid the conversations becoming unfocused or dominated by a few voices.
There are many ways to run the bus stop technique. One is where at the first bus stop the group generates ideas. The second group then adds their details and examples. The third group can then focus on implementation. To conclude, the groups return to their original bus stop and then review the plan that has come together from the different groups.
Another way is that each group spends the most time with one bus stop gathering their thoughts and ideas. Then they move onto the next and they provide quick feedback through symbols. A tick might indicate agreement or something useful. A question mark signals a point needing clarification. An arrow could suggest an alternative or improvement. This keeps feedback quick and focuses on enhancing the ideas rather than dismissing anything. A third method is where groups might rotate and respond using prompts such as what would you keep, what’s missing, and what would we change.
Five tips from our experience for using the bus stop:
- Be clear on the purpose of each round. Are participants generating ideas, critiquing, or refining?
- Keep instructions simple and visible. Sometimes we’ve had prompts or questions at each bus stop.
- Short, focused rounds are better than longer ones. Usually the first stop is the longest and we shorten the time for each bus stop as we go around.
- From the second bus stop onwards, make sure that participants read what’s there before they add.
- Keep debriefing short because the groups have already moved around all the stops.
The bus stop technique is simple, but effective. It keeps people moving and provides a way of gathering a range of perspectives. We’ve been using this technique for several years now, and only recently realised we hadn’t put together an episode on it! And we want to give a shout out to Lab Wilson who introduced us to the bus stop and has demonstrated its usefulness on numerous occasions. Thanks Lab!
We’ve shared our thoughts, now it’s your turn! Drop a comment below with your experiences, tips, and ideas on using the bus stop technique in your work. We’d love this to be a conversation—your insights are invaluable to the community.
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Resources
Creative Facilitation has another version of the bus stop called full circle.