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| Criterion | ![]() Facilitation Mind Mapping | ![]() Facilitation Fishbowl Discussion | ![]() Innovation Brainwriting | ![]() Facilitation World Café |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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 loud voices or hierarchy distort the idea search, the method creates a quiet entry into joint development. It gives everyone thinking space and gathers contributions without social brakes, making diversity more visible and easier to build on. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45-90 min | 15-30 min | 60-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 8-80 | 3-12 | 12-100+ |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Discussion Insights, Observed Tensions, Follow-up Questions | Idea sheets, Expanded concepts, Prioritized list | Table Notes, Emergent Themes, Shared Questions |
Tagsno overlap | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | FacilitationDialogueLarge group | BrainstormingCollaborationInclusionIdeas | FacilitationDialogueLarge groupSensemaking |



