methodatlas
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Criterion
Paper mind map with a central course onboarding question, colored main branches, keywords and cross-links.
Facilitation
Mind Mapping
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration of an IBIS map with issues, positions and arguments
Knowledge Modeling
IBIS
Purposedifferent
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.An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable.IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 min15-45 min1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
1-101-32-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open QuestionsADR File, Decision Log, RationaleIssue Map, Positions, Argument Notes
Tagsno overlap
BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
RationaleKnowledgeDecision
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument Mapping
Paper illustration of several people silently writing ideas and passing sheets around with arrows.
Innovation
Brainwriting