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| Criterion |  Facilitation Fishbowl Discussion |  Facilitation World Café |  Facilitation Nominal Group Technique |  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. | When loud voices could dominate a round, Nominal Group Technique protects individual thinking time from group effects. It collects ideas separately first and only then enables shared weighting. | 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 | 60-120 min | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 8-80 | 12-100+ | 5-12 | 3-20 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Discussion Insights, Observed Tensions, Follow-up Questions | Table Notes, Emergent Themes, Shared Questions | Ranked Ideas, Clarified Options, Group Priority | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items |
Tags1 shared | FacilitationDialogueLarge group | FacilitationDialogueLarge groupSensemaking | FacilitationPrioritizationVotingInclusion | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue |