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Exercises/Reflection and Learning/SQUID
Prompted Conversation · Reflection and Learning

SQUID

Participants are given two colors of sticky notes to work with, one for questions and one for answers.

5 to 15 minutesTIME
Small group (4-8)GROUP SIZE
ActiveENERGY
In person, RemoteSETTING
High cognitive loadCOGNITIVE LOAD
Strengthens Learning Transfer This reflection and learning exercise strengthens Learning Transfer, one of the eight Gathering Effectiveness pillars.

How to run it

  1. Reserve a large area of a whiteboard or several flip charts to create the SQUID. Participants are given two colors of sticky notes to work with, one for questions and one for answers.
  2. Start to build the diagram by writing the group’s core topic on a sticky note. Put this in the center of the space.
  3. The SQUID game is credited to James Macanufo.
  4. . Start to build the diagram by writing the group’s core topic on a sticky note. Put this in the center of the space.
  5. By using SQUID, a group charts out the territory as they go and can navigate accordingly.
Live facilitator

Run this exercise live

The facilitator console stays in this browser. Its QR handoff is a short-lived participant snapshot containing only public exercise instructions, phase, prompt, and timer state.

Prompts to use +

Reserve a large area of a whiteboard or several flip charts to create the SQUID. Participants are given two colors of sticky notes to work with, one for questions and one for answers.

Start to build the diagram by writing the group’s core topic on a sticky note. Put this in the center of the space.

. Start to build the diagram by writing the group’s core topic on a sticky note. Put this in the center of the space.

By using SQUID, a group charts out the territory as they go and can navigate accordingly.

Run this with your AI assistant +

Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.

Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: SQUID. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Reserve a large area of a whiteboard or several flip charts to create the SQUID. Participants are given two colors of sticky notes to work with, one for questions and one for answers.; Start to build the diagram by writing the group’s core topic on a sticky note. Put this in the center of the space.; . Start to build the diagram by writing the group’s core topic on a sticky note. Put this in the center of the space.; By using SQUID, a group charts out the territory as they go and can navigate accordingly.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.

Origin unverified

  • Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Gamestorming; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (2 sources observed, including Gamestorming, SessionLab.)
  • What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
  • No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
  • Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.

Pairs well with