methodatlas
Knowledge Modeling

IBIS

Clarifies concepts, relationships, and rules by framing the issue, collecting positions, and marking decisions or open questions.

Core question
Which positions answer the central issue, and which arguments support or challenge each position?
MediumWorkshop + async1-3 h
Open runsheetPlan sessionStart comparison
Purpose

The method helps clarify concepts, relationships, and rules concretely. It shapes knowledge into issues, positions, arguments, and queries. The result is captured as an Issue Map, Positions, and Argument Notes.

How it works

The team follows the steps: frame the issue, collect positions, assign arguments, check relationships, and mark decisions or open questions. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, an Issue Map, Positions, and Argument Notes are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.

Visual orientation

Method sketch for a quick mental model.

IBIS · Issue-Based Information SystemEine offene Frage mit Positionen, Pro- und Contra-Argumenten so verbinden, dass Entscheidungslogik nachvollziehbar bleibt
IBISDas Visual zeigt eine zentrale Issue-Frage, mögliche Positionen, Pro- und Contra-Argumente sowie eine Rationale.Fragen, Positionen und Argumente nachvollziehbar verbindenIBIS macht Entscheidungsrationale sichtbar, ohne Diskussionen auf eine lineare Liste zu reduzieren.fragt nachunterstützt / widersprichtbegründetIssueWelche Architektur wählen?Position AModular MonolithPosition BMicroservicesPosition CManaged PlatformProeinfacher BetriebContraSkalengrenzeProTeamautonomieContraKomplexitätOffenLock-in prüfenRationaleEntscheidung oder offene Fragendokumentieren

Flow

  1. 1Frame the issue
  2. 2Collect positions
  3. 3Assign arguments
  4. 4Check relationships
  5. 5Mark decisions or open questions

The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.

Open runsheet

Ideal for

  • Design Rationale
  • Architecture Decisions
  • Policy Discussions

Not good for

  • Simple task planning
  • Ideation without an argument structure

Deep dive

In detail

IBIS follows a clear working logic: frame the issue, collect positions, assign arguments, check relationships, and mark decisions or open questions. This turns the method into a visible thinking process rather than only a conversation. Participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options toward a shared structure. The result is an Issue Map, Positions, and Argument Notes that make decisions, learning, or further planning actionable.

Facilitation

Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 1-3 h with 2-8 people and use the format either in a workshop or asynchronously. The facilitation needs noticeable structure and preparation; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.

Output artifacts
Issue MapPositionsArgument Notes
Tags
rationaleknowledgedecision

Sources

Issue-based information system - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Artifact templates
IBIS Working TemplateCompact working template for IBIS with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
canvas

ibis-working-template.md

Compact working template for IBIS with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.

IBIS Canvas

Context

What is this method used for?

Core question

Which question should be answered at the end?

Input

Which data, observations, or materials are available?

Working area

  • Area 1:
  • Area 2:
  • Area 3:
  • Relationships / patterns:

Output artifacts

  • Issue Map:
  • Positions:
  • Argument Notes:

Open questions

  • ...

Next step

Owner, date, success signal.

When to choose differently

Short decision aid for existing alternatives.

Argument Mapping

Statt IBIS, wenn du Argumente und Gegenargumente mit klarer Begründungsstruktur auseinanderhalten willst.

Similar methods

All methods
Decision Making
Argument Mapping

Clarifies options, criteria, and risks by framing the central question, recording the main claim, and marking weak spots.

Statt IBIS, wenn du Argumente und Gegenargumente mit klarer Begründungsstruktur auseinanderhalten willst.

Architecture
Request for Comments

Uses a structured proposal and review process to make non-trivial technical or product changes discussable and decidable.

Knowledge Modeling
Concept Mapping

Clarifies concepts, relationships, and rules by framing the focus question, gathering concepts, and checking gaps and contradictions.

Knowledge Modeling
Knowledge Mapping

Turns concepts, relationships, and rules into a tangible result by defining the scope and knowledge domains, gathering knowledge holders and artifacts, and planning transfer actions.

Knowledge Modeling
PARA Method

Turns knowledge terms, relationships, and rules into a tangible result by capturing material, identifying projects, and regularly reviewing structure.

Knowledge Modeling
Domain Storytelling

Turns terms, relationships, and rules into a tangible result by choosing a concrete story, identifying actors and work objects, and extracting language and rules.