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| Criterion |  Facilitation Fishbowl Discussion |  Facilitation World Café |  Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping |  Facilitation Lean Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly. | When a group without a fixed agenda needs to get into useful conversations quickly, Lean Coffee structures the start around interests rather than a presentation. The group itself negotiates which topics get time first and which wait. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 60-180 min | 1-2 h | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 8-80 | 12-100+ | 1-8 | 3-20 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Discussion Insights, Observed Tensions, Follow-up Questions | Table Notes, Emergent Themes, Shared Questions | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items |
Tagsno overlap | FacilitationDialogueLarge group | FacilitationDialogueLarge groupSensemaking | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue |