View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Facilitation Lean Coffee |  Facilitation Mind Mapping |  Facilitation World Café |  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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 15-45 min | 60-180 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-20 | 1-10 | 12-100+ | 8-80 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Table Notes, Emergent Themes, Shared Questions | Discussion Insights, Observed Tensions, Follow-up Questions |
Tags1 shared | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | FacilitationDialogueLarge groupSensemaking | FacilitationDialogueLarge group |