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| Criterion |  Innovation How Might We |  Facilitation World Café |  Facilitation Fishbowl Discussion |  Facilitation Lean Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With a stuck problem carrying many implicit assumptions, the method translates observations into open, workable questions. It sharpens the problem frame without pre-thinking the solution, turning frustration or fuzziness into a search space with clear direction. | 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 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 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 | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–45 min | 60-180 min | 45-90 min | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 12-100+ | 8-80 | 3-20 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | HMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea Prompts | Table Notes, Emergent Themes, Shared Questions | Discussion Insights, Observed Tensions, Follow-up Questions | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items |
Tagsno overlap | FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions | FacilitationDialogueLarge groupSensemaking | FacilitationDialogueLarge group | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue |