When you have limited time with a group, the most important consideration is to understand the intended outcomes (deliverables) for the session and then design a session that maximizes every person’s voice in the room. Proper planning and design is what ensures the session will go well. What activities will best get you to your intended outcomes? Choose the best ones and design the session. Make sure to include sharing time. The other thing to bear in mind is to be willing to extend the time of the session, or to be willing to drop what’s done in the session. Trying to do too much will lower the effectiveness of the session. It’s better to do less and do it well than to try and do everything and not hit the mark.

With a large group & limited time: 📝Set clear objectives 📝Create a faster-paced brainstorm 📝Scribe points raised 📝Categorize ideas 📝Rank ideas per category 📝Vote on key actions to start with Above all, keep in mind the objectives of the group, allowing ideas to arise from the participants and keeping their goals in mind. If time is really short, don’t rush the process. Focus on diversifying perspectives in one session, and create a separate second session for converging ideas and reaching consensus.