What is I Like I Wish I Wonder?
I Like I Wish I Wonder is a structured feedback framework developed at Stanford’s d.school as part of their design thinking methodology. The activity provides three simple prompts that help participants share feedback in a constructive and balanced way:
- I Like: Positive observations about what works well and should continue
- I Wish: Suggestions for improvement framed constructively
- I Wonder: Open questions, possibilities, and ideas worth exploring
This format creates psychological safety by separating critique from appreciation and curiosity. Instead of generic “what went wrong” discussions, participants can express concerns through wishes and explore possibilities through wonderings without judgment.
Why use I Like I Wish I Wonder for feedback
Traditional feedback methods often produce defensive responses or surface-level comments. The I Like I Wish I Wonder structure addresses these limitations in several ways:
Balanced perspective: By requiring positive observations alongside suggestions, the framework prevents feedback sessions from becoming complaint sessions. Teams maintain motivation while still addressing areas for improvement.
Constructive framing: The “I Wish” prompt naturally frames criticism as a desire for something better rather than an attack on what exists. This linguistic shift makes suggestions easier to receive and act upon.
Future-oriented thinking: The “I Wonder” category opens space for creative exploration without commitment. Questions like “What if we tried…” or “Could we explore…” invite innovation without demanding immediate answers.
Equal participation: The simple structure enables everyone to contribute meaningful feedback, regardless of their role or communication style. Introverts can write their thoughts; extroverts can share verbally.
When to use this feedback activity
The I Like I Wish I Wonder framework adapts well to various contexts where constructive feedback improves outcomes:
Workshop debriefs: At the end of a creative workshop or training session, collect participant feedback to improve future sessions. The three categories help identify what to keep, change, and explore next time.
Project retrospectives: After completing a project milestone, use this activity as a lightweight alternative to formal team retrospectives. Teams can quickly surface insights without lengthy discussions.
Design critique sessions: When reviewing creative work, the framework provides structure for peer feedback that supports rather than discourages. The “I Wonder” category is particularly useful for suggesting directions without prescribing solutions.
Course evaluations: Students and trainees can provide nuanced feedback that goes beyond satisfaction ratings. Educators gain actionable insights for course improvement.
Team check-ins: Regular use of I Like I Wish I Wonder during team meetings creates a culture of continuous improvement and open communication.
Client feedback: After presentations or deliverables, invite clients to share structured feedback. The format produces more useful input than open-ended “any thoughts?” questions.
How to facilitate I Like I Wish I Wonder
Running this feedback activity effectively requires attention to setup, collection, and follow-through:
1. Set the context
Explain the three categories clearly before participants begin. Emphasize that all three types of feedback are equally valuable. Share one example for each category to demonstrate the expected depth and tone.
2. Allow individual reflection time
Give participants 3-5 minutes of quiet thinking time before sharing. This allows introverts to formulate thoughts and prevents early voices from anchoring the discussion. Using a digital tool for categorized answers lets everyone contribute simultaneously.
3. Collect responses
Participants can write physical sticky notes, type in a shared document, or use an interactive tool like Questiory. Digital collection enables anonymous responses if psychological safety is a concern.
4. Visualize patterns
Once collected, organize feedback visibly. Group similar items together to identify themes. A word cloud can quickly highlight the most frequently mentioned topics across all categories.
5. Discuss and prioritize
Review the feedback as a group. Which “likes” should be explicitly preserved? Which “wishes” are most impactful to address? Which “wonders” deserve further exploration? Document decisions and assign follow-up actions.
6. Close the loop
In future sessions, reference how previous I Like I Wish I Wonder feedback influenced changes. This demonstrates that the activity leads to real outcomes, increasing engagement in subsequent rounds.
I Like I Wish I Wonder examples
Here are examples of effective feedback statements for each category:
I Like examples:
- “I like that we had time for small group discussions before the full group share”
- “I like the visual examples that made abstract concepts concrete”
- “I like that everyone had equal time to present their work”
I Wish examples:
- “I wish we had clearer instructions at the beginning of the activity”
- “I wish there was more time for questions and answers”
- “I wish we could see examples of the expected output before starting”
I Wonder examples:
- “I wonder what would happen if we tried this with cross-functional teams”
- “I wonder if we could do a follow-up session to go deeper on one topic”
- “I wonder how remote participants experience this differently”
Notice how “I Wish” statements focus on specific improvements without blaming, and “I Wonder” statements open possibilities without demanding immediate action.
Creating an interactive I Like I Wish I Wonder activity with Questiory
Building this feedback activity in Questiory takes just a minute starting from the I Like I Wish I Wonder activity template, which works well for live workshops where participants respond simultaneously, or for asynchronous collection where people contribute over time. The visualization update in real-time as new responses arrive.
Variations and related activities
The I Like I Wish I Wonder framework connects to several other feedback and reflection methods:
Rose, Bud, Thorn: A similar three-part structure using botanical metaphors. Rose represents positives, Thorn represents challenges, and Bud represents potential. Try the Rose Bud and Thorn activity for a comparable approach.
Plus/Delta: A two-category system separating what to keep (Plus) from what to change (Delta). Simpler but lacks the exploratory “Wonder” component.
Start/Stop/Continue: Focuses on actions rather than observations. Useful when teams need concrete behavior changes.
Four Corners: Expands feedback into more categories for detailed analysis.
Each framework has strengths for different contexts. I Like I Wish I Wonder stands out for its balance of appreciation, constructive critique, and creative exploration.
Tips for effective feedback collection
To get the most value from I Like I Wish I Wonder sessions:
Be specific: “I like the format” is less useful than “I like that we alternated between individual and group work.” Encourage participants to include details.
Balance categories: If feedback skews heavily toward one category, prompt for others. A session with many “wishes” but few “likes” may indicate unaddressed positives worth celebrating.
Make it regular: Single feedback sessions have limited impact. Regular use of structured feedback creates a culture where improvement is normal rather than exceptional.
Follow through visibly: When you act on feedback, reference the original input. “Based on your ‘I Wish’ for clearer instructions, we’ve added this overview slide” demonstrates that feedback matters.
Keep it anonymous when needed: For sensitive topics or hierarchical dynamics, anonymous responses produce more honest feedback. Digital tools enable this easily.
