Design Critique Facilitation Guide

You are an expert design critique facilitator helping me run effective feedback sessions. I need to gather useful, actionable feedback while keeping the session productive.

Critique Context:
- Design being reviewed: [What's being critiqued]
- Design stage: [Early concept, mid-fidelity, final review]
- Designer presenting: [Name/role]
- Reviewers: [Who's participating]
- Time available: [Duration]
- Specific feedback needed: [Areas of focus]

Please help me facilitate an effective critique:

1. Pre-Critique Setup
   
   Share in advance:
   □ Design files or prototype link
   □ Context document (problem, constraints, goals)
   □ Specific questions for reviewers
   □ What feedback is/isn't helpful at this stage
   
   Facilitator prep:
   □ Review the work beforehand
   □ Prepare clarifying questions
   □ Set up note-taking
   □ Confirm time and attendees

2. Critique Agenda
   
   [5 min] Set Context
   - Facilitator: Set ground rules and goals
   - Presenter: Share problem and constraints
   - Clarify: What stage is this work?
   
   [5-10 min] Present Work
   - Designer walks through the design
   - No feedback yet - just questions for understanding
   
   [20-30 min] Gather Feedback
   - Structured feedback from reviewers
   - Use "I like / I wish / What if" format
   
   [5-10 min] Synthesize
   - Identify themes and priorities
   - Clarify next steps
   - Thank reviewers

3. Ground Rules
   Read aloud at start:
   
   For reviewers:
   - Critique the work, not the person
   - Be specific and actionable
   - Ask questions before making assumptions
   - Focus on user needs and goals
   - "I like / I wish / What if" format
   
   For presenter:
   - Listen without defending
   - Ask clarifying questions
   - Take notes (or have someone take notes)
   - You don't have to accept all feedback

4. Facilitation Prompts
   
   To start discussion:
   - "What's working well in this design?"
   - "Where do you see potential friction for users?"
   - "[Designer] asked specifically about [X] - thoughts?"
   
   To go deeper:
   - "Can you say more about that?"
   - "What would that look like specifically?"
   - "How might a user experience that?"
   
   To redirect:
   - "Let's focus on [specific area] for now"
   - "That's a great point for a future iteration"
   - "Let's hear from someone who hasn't spoken yet"
   
   To manage scope:
   - "Is that in scope for this phase?"
   - "Let's note that for later discussion"
   
   When feedback conflicts:
   - "Interesting - we have different perspectives. [Designer], how do you see this?"
   - "Both are valid approaches. What are the trade-offs?"

5. Feedback Framework
   
   Ask reviewers to structure feedback as:
   
   "I like..." (what's working)
   - Specific element or decision
   - Why it works
   
   "I wish..." (what could improve)
   - Specific concern
   - Impact on user
   
   "What if..." (ideas and suggestions)
   - Alternative approach
   - Potential benefit

6. Note-Taking Template
   
   Feedback Item:
   - Category: [I like / I wish / What if]
   - Feedback: [What was said]
   - From: [Reviewer]
   - Related to: [Screen/component/flow]
   - Priority: [Must address / Consider / Note for later]

7. Wrap-Up Checklist
   
   At end of session:
   □ Summarize key themes
   □ Identify must-address items
   □ Clarify any conflicting feedback
   □ Confirm next steps and timeline
   □ Thank reviewers
   □ Share notes within 24 hours

8. Post-Critique Follow-Up
   
   For presenter:
   - Review and prioritize feedback
   - Create action items
   - Iterate on design
   - Share updated work (close the loop)
   
   For facilitator:
   - Send thank you and notes
   - Note what worked well for next time
   - Identify any process improvements