Stones Debrief

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Map interpersonal group dynamics over time using physical tokens to identify concrete target habits for future teamwork.

Use it when: After a group task, simulation, or collaborative project where participants need to reflect on changing roles, participation, and team development.

Skip it when: When reviewing purely technical or factual content that did not involve group interaction, or when participants lack shared project history.

Group arrangement: Subgroups of 3 to 6 people. Form groups of 4 to 6 whenever possible; a group of 3 is permitted when total numbers require it (for example, 7 people split into 4 and 3; 13 people split into 5, 4, and 4).

Timing: UWT suggested 25-minute duration based on Roger Greenaway's task-based debrief framework.

Materials and tools

• 1 collection of 10 to 15 small clean stones or counters per subgroup
• 1 sheet of paper or cardstock per subgroup
• 1 marker per subgroup
• 1 printed Stones Debrief Task Card per subgroup
• 1 countdown timer

Before participants arrive

1. Place a bowl or bag of 10 to 15 stones or counters on each table.
2. Set one sheet of paper, one marker, and one task card at each table.

Say this to open

Rather than a standard verbal review, we will map how our group worked using physical tokens. At your tables, build a sequence of five layouts that shows how your dynamics developed from start to finish. Then build a sixth layout that shows how you want to work together next.

How to run it

1. Brief the task 3 minutes

   Seat participants in subgroups of 3 to 6. Read the opening script, clarify that spacing, alignment, and clustering represent interaction patterns, and point participants to the task card.

2. Model past dynamics 10 minutes

   Subgroups construct five sequential arrangements showing how their dynamics changed across past project milestones. For each layout, participants ensure a quick sketch or label is recorded on their sheet. For example, scattered stones during early uncertainty, stones grouped around a single spokesperson during planning, and paired clusters during execution.

3. Model target dynamic 5 minutes

   Subgroups arrange their stones into a sixth layout showing their preferred dynamic for upcoming work. Groups sketch this layout and record one clear sentence explaining the intended change.

4. Share and debrief 7 minutes

   Conduct a quick tour where each table presents its sixth arrangement in 45 seconds. Ask the room one or two debrief questions from the list, taking up to three short responses per question. Close with 1 minute of silent personal reflection.

Debrief questions

• What visible shift occurred between your early arrangements and your target layout?
• What specific habit or action will move your team from its current pattern toward your target layout?

Finished output: A sequence of six documented arrangements (sketched and labeled) showing team progression and an agreed target layout for future collaboration.

Remote

Use breakout rooms of 3 to 6 participants on a shared virtual whiteboard. Provide a board template containing 15 movable circular tokens and six numbered frame boxes. Each breakout labels their six frames and screen-shares their final board upon returning to the plenary room.

Hybrid

Keep remote attendees in their own virtual breakout using digital tokens while in-person attendees work at physical tables. During plenary sharing, display the digital boards on the main room screen and point an in-room camera at the physical stone arrangements.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may choose non-speaking roles such as sketching layouts, taking notes, or positioning stones.
• Anyone may choose to observe their subgroup or pass on plenary speaking without giving a reason.

If the session gets stuck

Participants focus on building complex physical sculptures instead of mapping relationships.

Remind tables that simple top-down arrangements, clustering, and distance between stones are sufficient to show interaction.

One dominant person manipulates all the stones while others watch passively.

Prompt groups to pass the token placement so each participant builds or adjusts at least one arrangement.

Terms used here

• Task-based debrief: A structured review technique where participants complete a concrete tangible challenge to examine their recent collaboration rather than holding an open discussion.