What I Need from You (WINFY)

Structural Elements — Min Specs

1. Structuring Invitation

   "It's time to simplify our collaborative practice. Working in functional groups, you are going to identify what you need to achieve your goals and make direct requests to your colleagues from other functions. Everyone will also practice giving clear responses to requests."

2. Space and Materials

   A large room for three to seven functional groups (breakouts). A chair for each group spokesperson to sit in a circle in the middle of the room (spotlight). Visual collaboration space optional. Sticky notes and pens.

3. Participation Distribution

   Roles include host (tech host online), spokesperson per group, and participants. There is no minimum group size. Everyone is invited and has an equal opportunity to contribute.

4. Group Configuration

   Three to seven functional groups, each with any number of participants.

5. Steps and Time Allocation

   • Intro: Share the structuring invitation and identify a shared goal or challenge. Prepare breakouts for functional groups. (1 min)
   • Clarify the Challenge: Reiterate the challenge or goal to ensure everyone has the same understanding. Invite two to three participants to share more context. (2 min)
   • Explain the Process: Explain that each functional group will make clear and specific requests for what they need from others to make progress. Explain what makes a good request: it must be specific, concrete, actionable, relevant, and timely (and may include due dates). (2 min)
   • List Needs in Groups: Each group uses 1-2-4-All to list their top needs from each of the other functions. As a group, they select their top one or two needs and write them on sticky notes in the format "What I need from you is _____." If using a visual collaboration space, ask people not to look at other groups' work. (10–20 min)
   • Make Requests: Everyone returns to plenary. Explain the four responses. Spokespeople sit in the inner circle (spotlight) to state their needs to each other, one at a time. Spokespeople who are listening write down each request without responding. (15–20 min)
   • Decide Responses in Groups: Participants return to their functional groups (breakouts). They write each request on a sticky note and decide how to respond to it, then write another sticky note with one of the four responses: yes, no, huh?, or whatever. (5–15 min)
   • Share Decisions: Everyone returns to plenary. Spokespeople rejoin the inner circle (spotlight) and share their responses without elaboration. (10 min)
   • Debrief: Debrief using W³ (What, So What, Now What). (15–20 min)