explore · Meeting Management, Knowledge Sharing · 45–90 min · 3-12 people per board · medium energy

Lean Coffee

A meeting with no agenda until the people in it write one. Everyone posts the topics they want to talk about, gives two votes, and the group works through the topics in vote order on a simple board: To Discuss, Discussing, Discussed. Each topic gets a short timebox, and the group decides together whether to keep going or move on.

When to use Lean Coffee

Use when a group meets regularly to learn from each other and the most useful topics are the ones people bring themselves.

What it solves

Standing meetings follow an agenda one person wrote, so the questions people actually have never get airtime.

How to run Lean Coffee, step by step

  1. Draw a board with three columns: To Discuss, Discussing, Discussed (2 min).
  2. Everyone writes topics they want to talk about, one per sticky note, and introduces each in one or two sentences as they post it (5 min).
  3. Each person gets two votes. Two dots on the same topic is allowed (3 min).
  4. Sort the To Discuss column by votes and move the top topic to Discussing (1 min).
  5. Talk it through within an agreed timebox, often 5 to 8 minutes. When time is up, thumbs up to continue, down to move on (30-60 min).
  6. Move each finished topic to Discussed with a one-line takeaway. End with a quick round on what people take with them (5 min).

Materials needed

  • Sticky notes and markers
  • Dot stickers or pens for voting
  • Wall, window or table for the board
  • Timer

Facilitator tips

  • Ask for topics written as a question or a claim. 'Culture' gives a vague talk; 'Why do our retros never change anything?' gives a useful one.
  • Name a timekeeper who is not also leading the conversation.
  • Write the takeaway on the card as it moves to Discussed, so nobody has to reconstruct the meeting afterwards.

Common pitfalls

  • One enthusiast keeps extending a topic. The thumbs vote exists to stop that; use it.
  • The board fills with similar topics and votes get split. Merge obvious duplicates before voting.

Variations

  • For larger groups, run several tables, each with its own board, and share takeaways at the end.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared board with three columns and let people vote with dots or emoji on the cards. Keep the timer visible on screen.

What it produces

A board of discussed topics with a short takeaway or action written on each card.

Origin

Started in Seattle in 2009 by Jim Benson and Jeremy Lightsmith, who wanted a regular Lean discussion group without a fixed agenda or organiser. — source

Build a session around Lean Coffee

METODIC places Lean Coffee inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

Generate a session with Lean Coffee · Try METODIC free