Error Conversation helps the team identify errors, understand their nature and have a productive conversation about them. It is especially useful for a team dealing with many errors over a period of time.
Running the activity:
- Start by asking everyone to individually list all the errors that occurred for the given period (e.g., “write on sticky notes and keep them until the next step”).
- Draw and explain the board with two columns for two types of error:
* Error of commission: errors of commission are errors that occurred because of doing something that should not have been done.
* Error of omission: errors of omission are errors that occurred because of not doing something that should have been done. - Ask someone to share one error and place it on the appropriate column.
- Have a brief conversation about the error. Consider doing affinity grouping by adding similar notes to it. Consider writing notes and action items on separate sticky notes (preferably of a different color) and placing next to the related error.
- Go to the next errors until all notes are finished or you run out of time.
This activity is inspired by the book Re-Creating the Corporation: A Design of Organizations for the 21st Century. In it, the author elaborates that there are two possible types of decision-making mistakes: errors of commission and errors of omission. This activity helps the group talk and address those.
Remote-team advice: This activity works well for remote teams. Use a remote board of your choice.