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| Criterion |  Facilitation Fishbowl Discussion |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Facilitation World Café |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a controversial topic needs depth and discipline at the same time, Fishbowl Discussion makes the structure of the conversation transparent. The format keeps the core small enough for real dialogue and open enough for controlled turnover. | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. | When a group needs to connect many viewpoints in a short time, World Café creates a calm alternation between closeness and rotation. It sets thinking in motion without forcing the conversation into full-plenary rigidity. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 1-3 h | 2-6 h | 60-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 8-80 | 2-8 | 3-10 | 12-100+ |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Discussion Insights, Observed Tensions, Follow-up Questions | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Table Notes, Emergent Themes, Shared Questions |
Tagsno overlap | FacilitationDialogueLarge group | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | FacilitationDialogueLarge groupSensemaking |