What, So What, Now What? W³
Salient facts from small groups are shared with the whole group and collected.
How to run it
- First stage: WHAT? Individuals work 1 min. alone on “What happened? What did you notice, what facts or observations stood out?” then 2-7 min. in small group. 3-8 min. total.
- Salient facts from small groups are shared with the whole group and collected. 2-3 min.
- If needed, remind participants about what is included in the SO WHAT? question.
- Second stage: SO WHAT? People work 1 min alone on “Why is that important? What patterns or conclusions are emerging? What hypotheses can I/we make?” then 2-7 min. in small group. 3-8 min. total.
- Salient patterns, hypotheses, and conclusions from small groups are shared with the whole group and collected. 2-5 min.
- Third stage: NOW WHAT? Participants work 1 min. alone on “Now what? What actions make sense?” then 2-7 min. in small group. 3-8 min. total.
- Actions are shared with the whole group, discussed, and collected. Additional insights are invited. 2-10 min.
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Prompts to use +
First stage: WHAT? Individuals work 1 min. alone on “What happened? What did you notice, what facts or observations stood out?” then 2-7 min. in small group. 3-8 min. total.
Salient facts from small groups are shared with the whole group and collected. 2-3 min.
Second stage: SO WHAT? People work 1 min alone on “Why is that important? What patterns or conclusions are emerging? What hypotheses can I/we make?” then 2-7 min. in small group. 3-8 min. total.
Salient patterns, hypotheses, and conclusions from small groups are shared with the whole group and collected. 2-5 min.
Third stage: NOW WHAT? Participants work 1 min. alone on “Now what? What actions make sense?” then 2-7 min. in small group. 3-8 min. total.
Actions are shared with the whole group, discussed, and collected. Additional insights are invited. 2-10 min.
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: What, So What, Now What? W³. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: First stage: WHAT? Individuals work 1 min. alone on “What happened? What did you notice, what facts or observations stood out?” then 2-7 min. in small group. 3-8 min. total.; Salient facts from small groups are shared with the whole group and collected. 2-3 min.; Second stage: SO WHAT? People work 1 min alone on “Why is that important? What patterns or conclusions are emerging? What hypotheses can I/we make?” then 2-7 min. in small group. 3-8 min. total.; Salient patterns, hypotheses, and conclusions from small groups are shared with the whole group and collected. 2-5 min.. 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 Liberating Structures; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (1 source observed, including Liberating Structures.)
- What that does and does not claim: we track where an exercise has been seen in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, how popular it is, or that it works. See methodology and trust boundary.
- Corrections welcome: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, tell us.