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| Criterion |  Facilitation Dot Estimation |  Facilitation Expectation Mapping |  Agile Bucket System |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When size or effort can only be estimated roughly, Dot Estimation condenses the group's experience into a quick range. It turns individual contributions into a visible selection. The result is captured as an Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, and Discussion Targets. | When roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. | When a large batch of work needs a fast, rough estimate, it sorts items into predefined size buckets. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as a Bucketed Backlog, Relative Estimates, and Split Candidates. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 5-20 min | 45-90 min | 30-90 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-20 | 3-12 | 3-12 | 4-12 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, Discussion Targets | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | Bucketed Backlog, Relative Estimates, Split Candidates | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | EstimationEffortRisk | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | EstimationBacklogRelative sizing | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |