methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Paper illustration for Dot Estimation.
Facilitation
Dot Estimation
Value Stream Mapping workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Delivery
Value Stream Mapping
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration for Ideal Days.
Agile
Ideal Days
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 delivery work dissolves into wait times, handoffs, and hidden effort, Value Stream Mapping makes the actual flow visible. The method exposes bottlenecks, idle time, and feedback loops so lead time and improvement levers become tangible.An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable.When effort needs to be thought of as real working time, it offers a simple common denominator for comparison. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as Ideal Day Estimates, Assumption Notes, and Capacity Caveats.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
5-20 min1-3 h15-45 min15-60 min
Participantsdifferent
3-204-101-32-9
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, Discussion TargetsCurrent-state map, Future-state map, Bottleneck listADR File, Decision Log, RationaleIdeal Day Estimates, Assumption Notes, Capacity Caveats
Tagsno overlap
EstimationEffortRisk
LeanFlowWasteDelivery
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
EstimationEffortAgile
Add more methods