18F

18F - KJ Method

Participants list individual priorities on cards, then organize and prioritize them as a group through voting. This exercise helps find consensus, especially in larger groups or when disagreement is likely.

Duration
1.5 hours
Group Size
4-8
Category
18F
Difficulty
Easy
Reach a consensus on priorities from subjective data. Enable larger stakeholder groups to align.
Organized insights using the KJ Method. Clustered and prioritized data. A foundation for synthesis.
When I used this with 20 Federal Election Commission staff, it helped define priorities around conflicting requests. It's a great way to gather data from staff, especially when decision-makers aren't in the room. Keep an eye on group dynamics; sometimes a few dominant voices can skew the clustering. Gently encourage quieter participants to share their perspectives.

  1. Gather four or more participants for 90 minutes. Provide sticky notes and markers.

  2. Define a focused question about project needs. Select a facilitator.

  3. Give participants five minutes to write at least three responses to the question, each on a separate note.

  4. Give participants 15 minutes to post answers, read others' responses, and add new ones. Cluster similar answers silently.

  5. Ask participants to write names for each cluster. Splitting clusters is also an option.

  6. Post cluster names. Exclude exact duplicates.

  7. Reiterate the question. Have each participant rank their top three clusters. Tally votes visually.

  8. Combine duplicates (and their points) if the group agrees they're identical. Typically, three or four clusters will emerge as top priorities.

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For Facilitators

  • Review participant profiles and expectations
  • Prepare all materials and supplies
  • Test technology and room setup

For Participants

  • Complete pre-session survey
  • Review background materials
  • Prepare examples or case studies

Unlock Pre-Work Requirements

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  • Sticky notes

  • Markers

  • Large workspace

  • Timer

  • Grouping materials

Unlock Materials Required

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