• All Methods
    • Strategize
      • 5D Framework
      • Break Down 4
      • Business Model Canvas
      • Competitive Analysis
      • Could, Should, Must
      • Dot Coding
      • Eisenhower Matrix
      • Future Trends
      • Golden Circle
      • HEART Framework
      • How Might We
      • Innovation Board
      • Knowns and Unknowns Framework
      • KPI Tracking
      • Minimum Viable Product
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Stakeholder Map
      • SWOT Analysis
      • User Stories
      • Value Proposition
    • Observe
      • 5 Whys
      • 6 Thinking Hats
      • AEIOU Framework
      • Challenge Assumptions
      • Content Audit
      • Contextual Inquiry Plan
      • Emotional Journey Map
      • Empathy Map
      • Field Study
      • Focus Groups
      • Jobs-to-be-done
      • Journey Mapping
      • Mental Models
      • Mobile Diaries
      • Mystery Shopping
      • Netnography
      • Observation
      • Personas
      • Poems
      • Product Love Letters
      • Search-Log Analysis
      • Social Media Monitoring
      • Surveys
      • User Interviews
    • Ideate
      • 6-3-5 Brainwriting
      • Bodystorming
      • Brainstorming
      • Card Sorting
      • Collage
      • Crazy Eights
      • Dark Horse Prototyping
      • Mind Mapping
      • Moodboards
      • SCAMPER
      • Service Blueprints
      • Storyboards
      • Walt Disney Method
      • Worst Possible Ideas
      • Wow-How-Now Matrix
    • Validate
      • A/B Testing
      • Click Dummy
      • Concept Testing Plan
      • Eye Tracking
      • High-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Lessons Learned
      • Low-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Poster Session
      • Remote Usability Test
      • User Testing
      • Wizard of Oz
      • World Café
    • Warm-up
      • 5 Whys
      • Brainstorming
      • Break Down 4
      • Crazy Eights
      • Destroy and Defend
      • Emoji Challenge
      • Hidden Similarities
      • Impromotion
      • Mind Mapping
      • Product Pitch
      • The Aliens Have Landed
      • Touch Blue
      • Two Truths and a Lie
      • Viewpoint Spectrogram
      • What's on your Desk?
  • Workshop Bundles
  • About us
  • Meet the Creators
  • Get Support
  1. UX Strategy Kit
  2. Methods
  3. World Café
beginnervalidate
World CaféLet people explore different approaches in a short period of time.
4 h – 5.5 h12+ Participantsworkshopcreativebrainstorming
+2
Open in FigJam
Summary
World Café is an exercise for at least twelve people. In a relaxed atmosphere, smaller groups of four to six participants visit table stations where they discuss certain topics. Each table is hosted by a topic moderator who briefly updates new groups about what already has been discussed. After a predefined interval, the groups move to the next table. This way each participant can contribute to all topics while being more and more mindfully enriched through all of the input from the other topics and participants.
Step-by-step
  1. Prepare a relaxed atmosphere for the participants. Make sure there is sufficient hydration available and no loud music playing in the background.
  2. Provide separate tables for all topics that are far enough apart so that the people sitting or standing at them are not distracted by the volume of their conversation.
  3. Define discussion topics, write them on paper and put them on the separate desks.
  4. Form groups and designate one host for each table. Start a timer for each round, e.g. 15 min per round.
  5. After each round, all groups move to the next table while the hosts stay and keep the conversations at their table going.
  6. After one or two rotations, or after each group has been on every table, the session ends.
  7. The moderators present the outcome of the discussions.
  8. The hosts bring together the results of their tables and present them to the entire group if applicable.
What you need
  • World Café template
  • Tables
External resources
  • World Café Method
    by zomajojo
Do you have a question?
These methods might seem simple, but applying them in a real project is another story. We’re there to help. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at the User Experience Strategy & Design team.
Ask Away!
Explore similar methods
Dark Horse Prototypingideate
2+ Participants
40 – 75 min

Develop innovations, by going new and previously unexplored ways.

AEIOU Frameworkobserve
1+ Participants
45 – 80 min

Give your observations and field research structure by getting to know the problem's environment.

5 Whysobserve
1 – 2 Participants
5 – 15 min

This is a very simple method for digging deep into the mind and background of users and their behaviour.

Observationobserve
1+ Participants
30 – 180 min

Real insights from users in their natural environment.

Netnographyobserve
1+ Participants
4 h – 4 d

Observe different online communities and their behaviours.

© Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 2023.
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
Categories
  • Strategize
  • Observe
  • Ideate
  • Validate
  • Warm-up
Learn more
  • About Us
  • User Experience Strategy & Design
  • Liquid Design System
Legal
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Imprint
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance