methodatlas
Session Builder

Plan my session

Plan a concrete work block with agenda, roles, preparation, and a copyable result artifact.

Method session60-120 minWorkshop or asyncOption Frames

Session: Option Framing

The plan translates the method into a concrete facilitated work block. Your inputs flow directly into the session brief and work artifact.

Derived automatically

Method session with 3-8. The plan uses the existing method logic and the runsheet.

Runsheet
Participation logic
Team round, shared work and alignment

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome logic
Finish artifact

The session works directly toward Option Frames. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

  1. 1

    Fix the scope

    10-20 min

    Define the occasion, objective, and boundaries under consideration. Collect off-scope topics on a parking lot. Hint: A tight scope produces better results than a complete but diffuse broad overview.

    FacilitatorOption Frames
  2. 2

    Collect rough input

    20-40 min

    Gather facts, events, options, constraints, or assumptions and make them visible. Hint: Keep facts and interpretations separate. Mark uncertain points instead of smoothing them out.

    FacilitatorAssumption Notes
  3. 3

    Build the structure

    30-60 min

    Fill Option Frames step by step, clarify relationships between elements, and surface contradictions. Hint: Do not evaluate too early. Stabilize structure first, then draw conclusions.

    FacilitatorComparable Shortlist
  4. 4

    Check and consolidate

    20-40 min

    Mark gaps, weak assumptions, counterexamples, and critical paths. Validate output for clarity. Hint: If nobody can explain the logic in two minutes, the artifact is not finished.

    FacilitatorDecision Inputs
  5. 5

    Define next steps

    15-20 min

    Document decision, experiment, test, action, or follow-up with owner and date. Hint: A good artifact without a next action stays as knowledge work without impact.

    OwnerOption Frames
  6. 6

    Publish artifact

    10 min

    Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients.

    OwnerOption Frames
Usable artifact

Session Brief

For invitations, boards, tickets, PR descriptions, or workshop notes.

session-brief.md

Session Brief: Option Framing

Goal

Artifact: Option Frames

Working Question

Which actions options are truly comparable, complete, and decision-ready?

Context

Scope, trigger, known facts, relevant constraints, existing options or events, and expected workshop outcome.

Setup

  • Format: Method session
  • Duration: 60-120 min
  • Mode: Workshop or async
  • Participants: Facilitator; domain experts from the affected area; an owner for outcomes and follow-up; for decisions, a named decider.
  • Owner: Facilitator
  • Participation mode: Team round, shared work and alignment
  • Outcome logic: Finish artifact

Participation Logic

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome Logic

The session works directly toward Option Frames. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

Workboard or document for Option Frames; existing notes, data, decisions, and assumptions; markers for uncertainty, owner, and next steps.

Preparation

Prepare an empty Option Frames template. Keep scope and working question at the top. Mark every assumption as an assumption, not as fact.

Agenda

  1. Fix the scope (10-20 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Define the occasion, objective, and boundaries under consideration. Collect off-scope topics on a parking lot. Hint: A tight scope produces better results than a complete but diffuse broad overview. Output: Option Frames

  2. Collect rough input (20-40 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Gather facts, events, options, constraints, or assumptions and make them visible. Hint: Keep facts and interpretations separate. Mark uncertain points instead of smoothing them out. Output: Assumption Notes

  3. Build the structure (30-60 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Fill Option Frames step by step, clarify relationships between elements, and surface contradictions. Hint: Do not evaluate too early. Stabilize structure first, then draw conclusions. Output: Comparable Shortlist

  4. Check and consolidate (20-40 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Mark gaps, weak assumptions, counterexamples, and critical paths. Validate output for clarity. Hint: If nobody can explain the logic in two minutes, the artifact is not finished. Output: Decision Inputs

  5. Define next steps (15-20 min) Owner: Owner Action: Document decision, experiment, test, action, or follow-up with owner and date. Hint: A good artifact without a next action stays as knowledge work without impact. Output: Option Frames

  6. Publish artifact (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients. Output: Option Frames

Closeout

  • Update result artifact: Option Frames
  • Define location, version, and review recipients.
  • Define owner, next step, and review date.
Usable artifact

Work artifact

Pre-filled starting point based on the matching template.

work-artifact.md

Option Frames: Option Framing

Working Question

Which actions options are truly comparable, complete, and decision-ready?

Context

Scope, trigger, known facts, relevant constraints, existing options or events, and expected workshop outcome.

Participants

  • Owner: Facilitator
  • Participants: Facilitator; domain experts from the affected area; an owner for outcomes and follow-up; for decisions, a named decider.

Input

Workboard or document for Option Frames; existing notes, data, decisions, and assumptions; markers for uncertainty, owner, and next steps.

Template

Option Frame: Option Title

Short description

What is the option in one sentence?

Scope

What is included, and what is explicitly excluded?

Benefit

Which goal does this option support?

Cost and effort

Which resources, duration, and dependencies does it create?

Risks

Which negative consequences or open points remain?

Assumptions

Which prerequisites need to be true?

Decision signal

How do we know this option should be preferred?

Completion Check

  • Option Frames is complete enough for review:
  • Location:
  • Version / status:
  • Review by:
  • Next step:

Next Step

  • Review result
  • Mark open questions
  • Schedule review or decision
Template base

Option Frame

View templateStandardized description of action options so they can be compared fairly.
markdown

option-frame-markdown.md

Standardized description of action options so they can be compared fairly.

Option Frame: Option Title

Short description

What is the option in one sentence?

Scope

What is included, and what is explicitly excluded?

Benefit

Which goal does this option support?

Cost and effort

Which resources, duration, and dependencies does it create?

Risks

Which negative consequences or open points remain?

Assumptions

Which prerequisites need to be true?

Decision signal

How do we know this option should be preferred?

Ready to use when
  • Working question, owner, and target artifact are visible.
  • The result fits Option Frames.
  • Save artifact with date, scope, and participants. On new evidence, create a new version or change note so decision logic remains traceable.
  • Open questions are noted as follow-ups.
  • The next review or decision point is scheduled.
ProfileRunsheet