HOW TO HOST.
Start with one familiar target, its creators, and a willing group.
PREPARE.
For a first session, try 4–10 people, a host, a note-taker, and 45 minutes. Choose something specific that the group knows and has some ability to change: a sign-up flow, expense form, or weekly meeting.
- Define the target. “The seven steps to approve a purchase” works better than “our organization.”
- Bring evidence. Show the actual form, policy, screenshot, or a short demonstration.
- Agree on boundaries. The work is on trial. Personal grievances and performance ratings belong elsewhere.
- Prepare an example. Write one light, specific accusation with a willing creator.
INVITE THE CREATORS.
Explain the target and format beforehand. Ask the people who made it to participate, offer accusations, and enjoy the observations. Their visible enjoyment helps others trust the invitation.
Save explanations for the creators’ response period. They don’t need to answer every charge.
A 45-MINUTE TRIAL.
| Time | Stage | Host’s job |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5 min | Open the court | Name the target, welcome its creators, and read the agreement. |
| 5–10 min | Gather evidence | Give everyone quiet time to write specific accusations. |
| 10–30 min | Hear the charges | Take one at a time. Encourage performance and let others build on it. |
| 30–35 min | Hear the creators | Ask what resonated and what context matters. |
| 35–45 min | Find the next step | Choose an issue, an owner, and a date to revisit. |
Record observations without debating each one. Give quieter people an opening. For larger groups, use small tables with one target each.
Open the host console ↗OPENING SCRIPT.
“Today we’re putting [the target] on trial, with its creators here to join in.
Start with ‘It’s so dumb…’ and make your case. Be specific, exaggerate, and enjoy the performance. Give us something real underneath the joke.
Keep the criticism on the work. Anyone can pass or ask for a pause. We’ll hear the creators’ responses after the accusations, then choose what deserves a closer look.”
Offer your prepared example: “This form is so dumb, it asks me to enter the number it just gave me.” Then invite others.
Personalize the scripts ↗CLOSE WELL.
Thank everyone, then change gears: “Let’s look at what we learned.”
- Hear the creators. What felt accurate? What needs context?
- Name the issues. Translate accusations into clear problems or questions. Include the quieter observations.
- Check the claims. A good joke is a lead, not proof.
- Choose one next step. Name an owner and review date. You don’t need to solve every issue today.
REMOTE & ASYNC.
In person
Arrange the room so people can see each other. Keep the creators among the group. Display the target and record accusations on paper or a shared screen.
Video call
Keep creators visible when practical and read written contributions aloud. Screen-share the toolkit’s presenter view; participants contribute through your call’s chat or out loud.
Async preparation, live trial
Collect observations in a shared document beforehand. Use the session to perform them, hear responses, and decide what to explore.
Fully async
Try a 48-hour thread with a group that knows the ritual. A creator opens with an invitation and example. Participants post text, audio, or short clips; creators respond alongside the charges. Finish with a summary and next step.
Fully async is an adaptation to test. Use your existing discussion tool; this site provides scripts and a host workspace, not a shared thread.
TROUBLESHOOTING.
Nobody goes first.
Give people two minutes to write. Offer your prepared example. Invite written contributions. If reluctance continues, choose a smaller target.
An accusation gets personal.
Pause: “What does the process do that creates the problem?” Restate the observation about the work, or set it aside.
The creator defends every point.
“Let’s capture that context for the response period.” Correct a false premise when needed, then return to collecting observations.
The jokes are empty.
Ask: “What did you actually notice? Can you give us an example?”
Someone seems uncomfortable.
Offer a pause without requiring an explanation. Check in privately, narrow the target, or end the session.
One person dominates.
Take one contribution per person, with the option to pass, before opening a second round.
Nothing changes afterward.
Return to the case file. Choose one observation to test, one owner, and a date. Begin the next session with what happened.
Ready to host?
Build a plan for your session.