What Does This Make Possible?
In User Experience Fishbowl, a small group of people who have made progress on a shared challenge (the "fish") discuss their experiences while a larger group observes. This allows for a natural conversation, creating an informal atmosphere that encourages dialogue. Participants learn from peers with direct field experience and use what they learn to inform their adoption of new practices. This structure embodies LS Principle #2, Practice Deep Respect for People and Local Solutions.
Structural Elements — Min Specs
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Structuring Invitation
"We are going to put people who are tackling our shared challenge in a fishbowl and listen as they share their experiences."
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Space and Materials
An inner circle of three to seven chairs in the middle of a room [spotlight], surrounded by an outer circle of chairs in groups of three to four [breakouts of three to four]. Microphones for the inner circle and a few for questions from the outer circle if needed.
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Participation Distribution
Roles include host [tech host], inner circle, and outer circle. Minimum group size is fifteen. Everyone is invited and has an equal opportunity to contribute.
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Group Configuration
When people work alone, in small groups, or as a whole group, plus breakout-room logistics for online meetings. In F2F gatherings, hosts may join small groups. In online meetings, we assume hosts and tech hosts stay in the main room and do not join breakouts.
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Steps and Time Allocation
- ► Intro: Share the structuring invitation and identify the shared challenge. Invite a few people to be fish and sit in the inner circle [spotlight]. Invite everyone else to observe and take notes without interacting with the fish. (2 min.)
- ► Story Sharing: The inner circle has a conversation about their work, sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Enforce two rules: "no speeches" and "talk to each other, not to the outer circle." Intervene if someone isn't getting a chance to talk or if someone is dominating the conversation or presenting rather than conversing. (10–25 min.)
- ► Reflect and Formulate Questions: The outer circle forms small groups of three to four [breakouts] to formulate observations and questions for the fish. (4 min.)
- ► Q&A Time: Everyone returns to plenary. The outer circle asks their questions, and the inner circle responds. [Groups put their most salient questions and observations in the chat.] (10–25 min.)
- ► Debrief and Discover: Debrief using W³, asking, "What seems possible now?" (10–15 min.)
Tips & Pitfalls
- Pick "fish" who represent roles and functions that must coordinate for success. Only choose people with direct personal experience for the inner circle.
- Encourage them to share concrete examples rather than opinions, as well as both successes and failures.
- Advise the inner circle to imagine they are in a car or a café, sharing stories informally — this keeps the tone conversational.
- Don't forget the playful dimension. Encourage lively storytelling that mixes seriousness and laughter.
- Enforce the rules consistently: "no speeches" and "talk to each other, not to the outer circle."
Riffs & Variations
- Invite the "fish" to share what surprised them.
- Leave one or two empty chairs in the inner circle so someone unexpected can join spontaneously.
- Online, invite the outer circle to share questions in the chat while the inner circle is talking.
- Mix or string together with other Liberating Structures: Improv Prototyping, Simple Ethnography, Shift & Share, or 25/10 Crowd Sourcing.
Practical Applications
- User Experience Fishbowl transfers knowledge from officers or emergency response workers returning from deployment to people who are replacing them.
- It promotes exchanges between people with different levels of experience. For example, people using a new tool can share their experience with the rest of their organization.
- During an LS workshop, invite experienced practitioners to share stories to help newcomers.
- Medical specialists discuss a complex case with general practitioners.
- Sales teams share their experience of a new software tool with the broader organization.
- A public-sector organization extends innovative services by having early adopters share what they learned.
Online & Hybrid Facilitation
Fishbowl works online with no major adjustments. Allow participants to choose their own breakout rooms. Spotlighting the "fish" and having the audience turn off their cameras enhances focus and makes listening easier. The outer circle can share questions in the chat while the inner circle is talking.
Combine with Other Structures
Sources & License
Liberating Structure developed by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless.
Based on the work of Keith McCandless and Nancy White, The Liberating Structures Fieldbook (2026), CC BY-SA 4.0.
