Miroverse Template for Liberating Structure “What, So What, Now What? W³”

Decided to give my first contribution to Miroverse with the template for the Liberating Structure “What, So What, Now What? W³”. Please feel free to use the template: https://miro.com/miroverse/what-so-what-now-what-w/

The Liberating Structure “What, So What, Now What? W³” is one of the 33 structures created by for facilitating meetings and conversations, curated by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless.

When to use “What, So What, Now What? W³”?

As a leader or facilitator, you can use this Liberating Structure to debrief after an event as a retrospective. It can go from a 10-min debrief to a 1-hour one or even more; it’s up to you.

Basically look at progress to date and decide what adjustments are needed. I use it as a facilitation technique in Workshops too!

How does “What, So What, Now What? W³” work?

Give context regarding why you are using it and what for. Together, you’ll look back on progress to date and decide what adjustments are needed. The following steps are my suggestion for a 1-hour debrief:

Step 1 — What?

• Ask the group “What happened? What did you notice? What facts or observations stood out?”
• Give them 2 minutes to think about it individually and write Post-its.
• Afterwards discuss it as a group for 10 minutes and create agreement.

Step 2 — What if? (can be used or not)

• Ask the group “What if we had done something different? What could have been the outcome if we had done something different?”
• Give them 2 minutes to think about it individually and write Post-its.
• Afterwards discuss it as a group for 10 minutes and create agreement.

Step 3 — So what?

• Ask the group “What is important? Which conclusions are emerging? Why is that important? What hypotheses can we make?”
• Give them 2 minutes to think about it individually and write Post-its.
• Afterwards discuss it as a group for 10 minutes and create agreement.

Step 4 — Now what?

• Ask the group “What actions make sense for you and for this group?”
• Give them 2 minutes to think about it individually and write post-its.
• Afterwards discuss it as a group for 10 minutes and assign people to the actions.
• Don’t forget to follow up on those actions.

🤲 As always all feedback is welcomed! I hope you enjoy!

🙏 Thanks to Amanda McCarthy for reviewing the article.