I Like, I Wish, I Wonder

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Collect structured qualitative feedback on a completed session, prototype, or process without centering critique entirely on defects.

Use it when: Use at the end of a sprint, workshop, or project phase to gather balanced observations and next-step curiosities.

Skip it when: Skip when an immediate operational failure needs technical root-cause debugging rather than wide qualitative reflection.

Group arrangement: Individual reflection followed by whole-group wall review or small clusters

Timing: Source suggests 30 to 60 minutes for large deep dives; UWT standardizes to 20 minutes for a focused debrief with up to 24 people.

Materials and tools

• One 3-column feedback card or 3 separate sticky notes per participant
• Fine-tip markers or pens (one per person)
• Shared wall, whiteboard, or poster tape with headers: I Like, I Wish, I Wonder

Before participants arrive

1. Label three wall columns: 'I Like', 'I Wish', and 'I Wonder'.
2. Place writing tools and cards or sticky notes within reach of all seats.
3. For hybrid meetings, appoint one in-person volunteer or co-facilitator as the hybrid scribe before the session starts.

Say this to open

We will reflect on our work using three prompts: 'I Like' for what worked well, 'I Wish' for constructive changes, and 'I Wonder' for questions or ideas that arose. Take four minutes to write your thoughts quietly. You may complete one, two, or all three prompts.

How to run it

1. Introduce categories and write reflections 4 minutes

   Say the opening script. Explain each column clearly: 'I Like' captures appreciation, 'I Wish' frames improvements constructively, and 'I Wonder' captures open questions or possibilities. Participants write quietly on their cards or notes. Writing names is optional.

2. Post feedback to the board 4 minutes

   Invite participants to place their notes under the corresponding headers on the wall. For groups larger than 12, have participants post row by row to prevent bottlenecking at the wall.

3. Read and cluster responses 6 minutes

   The facilitator reads a representative sample aloud, starting with several 'I Like' notes, moving to 'I Wish', and ending with 'I Wonder'. Group similar cards together into clusters as you read.

4. Discuss themes and close 6 minutes

   Facilitate a brief group discussion using the debrief questions. Take up to four verbal comments from the room. Close by confirming who documents the notes for future planning.

Debrief questions

• What recurring themes stand out across our wishes and wonderings?
• Which 'I Wish' note could we address immediately in our next cycle?

Finished output: A categorized wall of sticky notes or cards grouped under I Like, I Wish, and I Wonder, documented as an action summary.

Remote

Use an online whiteboard (such as Miro or Mural) with three prepared columns: 'I Like', 'I Wish', and 'I Wonder'. Give participants 4 minutes to type sticky notes independently. The facilitator reads samples aloud and moves similar items into thematic clusters while screen-sharing.

Hybrid

In-person participants write on sticky notes while a designated hybrid scribe (appointed during setup) types them into the digital whiteboard. Remote participants post directly onto the digital board, which is projected on the in-room display. The facilitator alternates reading aloud from both groups.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may submit notes anonymously or choose to complete only a subset of the three prompts.
• Spoken contributions during the debrief are voluntary; silent contribution via writing is fully valid.

If the session gets stuck

Participants turn 'I Wish' into personal criticism of specific colleagues.

Remind the room to focus wishes on process, tools, or structures rather than individuals. Reframe complaints into forward-looking requests.

The board gets too crowded to read comfortably in the allotted time.

Do not read every note aloud. Read two to three distinct examples per column and point out obvious duplicates.