In short
The facilitator decides, using the remote, when a question stays open for discussion and when the group moves on. Freezing creates room for a strong argument without points shifting while people speak. Choosing that moment well keeps the group engaged and stops a round running too fast or too slow.
More than pressing the button
In an ordinary vote, the leader's role is limited: read the question, count the votes, move to the next agenda item. With ConsensIQ that is different, because the vote does not happen in an instant. While people spread points across options, someone in the room might raise an argument that changes the outcome. The facilitator decides whether there is room for that.
That role asks for attention to the room, not just the screen. You watch whether people are still weighing things up, whether they seem settled, or whether there is unease that needs words rather than points.
Freezing: when and why
Using the remote, the facilitator can freeze a question. The point distribution then stays fixed on screen, nobody can shift anything, and the floor goes to the room. This is useful when two options are close together and you suspect a good argument could tip the balance. A striking outlier, an option getting unexpectedly high or low support, is also a natural moment to ask why.
Freezing is not closing. After the discussion you unfreeze the question and everyone can redistribute their points with the new information in mind.
Opening the discussion without losing the process
A discussion during a frozen question works best with a few consistent habits. Hand the floor over explicitly, for example by asking who sees it differently from what the current distribution shows. Keep it short: two or three contributions are often enough to sharpen the point.
Guiding the moment
- 1
Spot it
Watch for a close result, a striking outlier, or audible unease in the room.
- 2
Freeze
Pause the question so nobody can shift points while people are speaking.
- 3
Open the floor
Ask directly for arguments for or against the options that sit close together.
- 4
Summarise
Repeat briefly what was said, so everyone takes the same thing back to their points.
- 5
Unfreeze
Reopen the question and give the group time to adjust their distribution.
Pressing on: when to keep moving instead
Not every question needs a discussion. If the distribution of points is stable and there are no signs of doubt, moving on to the next question or round is the better choice. Stopping for discussion too often slows the session down and can make the outcome feel steered. The skill lies in the distinction: is this a moment where the group has something to say, or is the outcome already clear?
Experienced facilitators develop a feel for this after a few sessions. For those who would rather not do this themselves, an experienced facilitator can be brought in to run the session.
See the plans, including the option with a professional facilitator included.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone freeze the question?
No, only the facilitator holds the remote and so controls freezing and unfreezing. That prevents confusion during the session.
Do participants see that a question is frozen?
Yes, the presentation screen clearly shows that the points are fixed, so nobody expects anything to change.
How long can a freeze last?
As long as the discussion needs, but in practice short and focused works best so the session does not stall.
What if the facilitator has no experience?
You can choose a plan where livewall provides an experienced facilitator to help run the session.
Practising before the session
Anyone using the remote for the first time does well to practise before the real session: freezing, unfreezing, going back to a previous question, dropping an option. That way it feels familiar during the session and you can keep your attention on the room rather than on the controls.
It also helps to talk through beforehand with the organiser which questions are likely to spark discussion. That way you already know where to be extra alert, without wanting to steer the outcome.
Good facilitation in ConsensIQ comes down to sensing the right moment: sometimes that means pausing to talk, but most of the time it means simply moving on.