Breakout Group Template

Breakout groups offer a unique opportunity for participants to engage more comfortably, especially in virtual or hybrid meetings. For individuals who prefer smaller settings, breakout groups encourage open, honest, and creative discussions. This setting fosters participation from people who may not usually speak up in larger groups, leading to a more dynamic exchange of ideas.

Here are some key benefits of using a Breakout Session Template in your next team meeting:

• Easy to use: Save time by using a premade Breakout Group Template, which allows you to quickly customize it with your own information. Sign up for free and get started right away.
• Built-in collaboration: FigJam’s platform enables co-located and remote teams to collaborate seamlessly in a virtual workspace. The template fosters engagement and teamwork regardless of physical location.
• Seamless sharing: Easily share your Breakout Group Template with others and export it, including the option to save as a PDF for future reference or distribution.

What is a Breakout Group?

A breakout group is a smaller discussion group formed during a larger meeting or session. The meeting facilitator divides participants into these smaller groups to privately discuss a specific topic.

Breakout groups offer an excellent opportunity for team members to have candid conversations and connect on a more personal level. In larger group settings, some people may feel hesitant to speak up. However, in smaller breakout groups, participants often feel more comfortable sharing their ideas, leading to more active participation and engagement. This smaller, more intimate environment encourages individuals to contribute rather than just observe.

Follow these steps to create a breakout group using the Breakout Group Template:

1. Decide on Central and Breakout Group Activities

   Determine which parts of the meeting will be centrally facilitated and which will involve smaller breakout groups. This helps you prepare content for both group types.

2. Plan Who Should Attend

   Decide whether to include only core team members or to invite cross-functional participants. This ensures the right mix of skills and perspectives in each group.

3. Assign Participants to Groups

   Unless you're randomly assigning participants, consider organizing groups beforehand. Some facilitators prefer to assign participants based on personality test results, while others aim for cross-functional teams to stimulate diverse conversations.

4. Provide Clear Instructions for Each Group

   Give participants specific goals and instructions for their breakout sessions. Outline what they should accomplish individually and as a group, how much time they have, and when they can take breaks.

5. Set Expectations Before the Breakout Session

   Before breaking into groups, let participants know how many people will be in each session, how long they will work together, and, most importantly, why they are breaking into groups. Explain what you want them to achieve, how to do it, and the purpose behind it.

6. Equip Groups with Tools for Success

   Provide participants with the tools they need, such as a static green shape they can turn red to signal they need help. Additionally, give them interpersonal tools, like asking "What else?" or "Tell me more about that" to keep conversations flowing if things go quiet.

7. Reconvene and Share Insights

   After the breakout sessions, bring everyone back together to discuss their findings. Use a central board to display each group’s work, allowing participants to share what they learned and see the ideas generated by other groups. This synthesizes insights and promotes collaboration across the entire team.