methodatlas
Session Builder

Plan my session

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

Method session1-4 h plus asynchronous roundsWorkshop or asyncEstimate Range

Session: Wideband Delphi

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 4-12 Experten. 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 Estimate Range. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

  1. 1

    Phase 1: Kickoff and scope sync

    30-45 min

    Moderator presents estimation object, assumptions, and unit. Experts ask clarifying questions. Scope corrections are logged. Hint: If scope is still contested after 45 min, postpone. Estimation without scope consensus wastes time.

    FacilitatorEstimate Range
  2. 2

    Phase 2: Round 1 - anonymous estimate

    20-30 min

    Every expert enters O/M/P values plus assumptions into own column. No discussion during input. Hint: Anyone stating values before reveal anchors the group. Moderator ensures simultaneous reveal.

    FacilitatorAssumption Log
  3. 3

    Phase 3: Analyze spread

    30-45 min

    Reveal range per value: min, median, max. Identify largest deviations. Experts with extreme values explain assumptions without debate. Hint: Assumption differences are the valuable information.

    FacilitatorExpert Consensus Notes
  4. 4

    Phase 4: Round 2 - estimate with assumptions knowledge

    20-30 min

    Experts revise values based on others' assumptions. Changed values document what was learned. Hint: Convergence is not the goal. If spread remains, uncertainty is real.

    FacilitatorEstimate Range
  5. 5

    Phase 5: Document result

    15-30 min

    Capture final range, expected value, and conflicted assumptions. For high remaining spread, propose spikes. Hint: Point value without range is fake precision.

    OwnerAssumption Log
  6. 6

    Publish artifact

    10 min

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

    OwnerEstimate Range
Usable artifact

Session Brief

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

session-brief.md

Session Brief: Wideband Delphi

Goal

Artifact: Estimate Range

Working Question

Which range and expected value describe the estimation object most honestly under explicit expert assumptions?

Context

Estimation-object document distributed at least 48 h before round 1; known constraints; reference data from similar initiatives; list of expert disciplines.

Setup

  • Format: Method session
  • Duration: 1-4 h plus asynchronous rounds
  • Mode: Workshop or async
  • Participants: One moderator; 4-12 experts from relevant disciplines; one scribe for assumptions log; optional sponsor who does not estimate.
  • Owner: One moderator
  • 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 Estimate Range. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

Shared estimation sheet with anonymous cells per expert; estimation-object document; assumptions list; whiteboard or synthesis tool; timer per round.

Preparation

Prepare estimation sheet with anonymous columns. First round asynchronous or silent in room, nobody sees others' values. Fix clear unit.

Agenda

  1. Phase 1: Kickoff and scope sync (30-45 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Moderator presents estimation object, assumptions, and unit. Experts ask clarifying questions. Scope corrections are logged. Hint: If scope is still contested after 45 min, postpone. Estimation without scope consensus wastes time. Output: Estimate Range

  2. Phase 2: Round 1 - anonymous estimate (20-30 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Every expert enters O/M/P values plus assumptions into own column. No discussion during input. Hint: Anyone stating values before reveal anchors the group. Moderator ensures simultaneous reveal. Output: Assumption Log

  3. Phase 3: Analyze spread (30-45 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Reveal range per value: min, median, max. Identify largest deviations. Experts with extreme values explain assumptions without debate. Hint: Assumption differences are the valuable information. Output: Expert Consensus Notes

  4. Phase 4: Round 2 - estimate with assumptions knowledge (20-30 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Experts revise values based on others' assumptions. Changed values document what was learned. Hint: Convergence is not the goal. If spread remains, uncertainty is real. Output: Estimate Range

  5. Phase 5: Document result (15-30 min) Owner: Owner Action: Capture final range, expected value, and conflicted assumptions. For high remaining spread, propose spikes. Hint: Point value without range is fake precision. Output: Assumption Log

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

Closeout

  • Update result artifact: Estimate Range
  • 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

Estimate Range: Wideband Delphi

Working Question

Which range and expected value describe the estimation object most honestly under explicit expert assumptions?

Context

Estimation-object document distributed at least 48 h before round 1; known constraints; reference data from similar initiatives; list of expert disciplines.

Participants

  • Owner: One moderator
  • Participants: One moderator; 4-12 experts from relevant disciplines; one scribe for assumptions log; optional sponsor who does not estimate.

Input

Shared estimation sheet with anonymous cells per expert; estimation-object document; assumptions list; whiteboard or synthesis tool; timer per round.

Template

Wideband Delphi Working Template

Goal

Structured expert estimation with anonymous individual values, discussion, and iterative convergence.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Execution

Short notes along the runsheet.

Output artifacts

  • Estimate Range:
  • Assumption Log:
  • Expert Consensus Notes:

Assumptions and open questions

  • ...

Decision / Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

Completion Check

  • Estimate Range 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

Wideband Delphi Working Template

View templateCompact working template for Wideband Delphi with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
markdown

wideband-delphi-working-template.md

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

Wideband Delphi Working Template

Goal

Structured expert estimation with anonymous individual values, discussion, and iterative convergence.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Execution

Short notes along the runsheet.

Output artifacts

  • Estimate Range:
  • Assumption Log:
  • Expert Consensus Notes:

Assumptions and open questions

  • ...

Decision / Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

Ready to use when
  • Working question, owner, and target artifact are visible.
  • The result fits Estimate Range.
  • Snapshot per estimation round with date and round number. On scope change, create new estimate, do not overwrite old one.
  • Open questions are noted as follow-ups.
  • The next review or decision point is scheduled.
ProfileRunsheet