What is meant by it?
User experience fishbowl is an organizational structure that can help a larger circle understand the challenges faced by the smaller circle and then ask them if they have any questions. This will help them in coming up with solutions for their challenges quickly.
How is it done?
User experience fishbowl can be carried out by inviting people to listen, observe and ask questions from the fishbowl which is also known as the inner circle. There should be chairs, microphones and bar stools. The instructor will have to explain the steps and then ask the inner circle to start their conversation. The outer circle will listen and observe them while they are talking to each other. Then, they shall come up with questions that will be submitted to the inner circle. Interaction will be held between both the circles where the questions will be answered.
What is its purpose?
User experience fishbowl is an agile way of answering questions by everyone so that they can understand your experience in a better way and generate ideas of their own to solve their challenges. It can improve your storytelling, listening, observing, pattern-finding and questioning skills.
What are its Tips and Traps?
Make sure to select people with direct personal experience for the inner circle. Encourage the participants to discuss both their failures and successes and instead of giving speeches; they should chat with each other. You should collect all the questions before the conversation is restarted. The ‘fish’ should be given a choice to select the questions to which he will answer.
Examples – Where can it be used?
User experience fishbowl can be used in the following circumstances:
- When transferring information from one officer to another.
- During different liberating structures workshop.
- In meetings carried out by specialists to discuss a challenging situation.
- By executive management teams to carry out projects.
— Slimane Zouggari