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| Criterion | ![]() Facilitation Lean Coffee | ![]() Facilitation Mind Mapping | ![]() Knowledge Modeling Knowledge Mapping | ![]() Facilitation Fishbowl Discussion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | When a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. | Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 15-45 min | 1-3 h | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-20 | 1-10 | 3-12 | 8-80 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Knowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer Plan | Discussion Insights, Observed Tensions, Follow-up Questions |
Tagsno overlap | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | KnowledgeMappingRisk | FacilitationDialogueLarge group |



