Method Archive

Design Thinking

Design Thinking is a creative, human-centred method for developing innovative solutions to complex challenges. It focuses on the needs of the people for whom a solution is being designed. Through a structured, iterative process, problems are first understood, then ideas are generated, transformed into prototypes, and tested collaboratively. The method combines creative thinking with systematic problem-solving and encourages collaboration between people from different backgrounds and disciplines.

Workshop

A workshop is a facilitated working session in which participants collaborate to explore a specific question, develop ideas, or create solutions. Depending on its purpose, a workshop can be used to share information, analyse problems, or develop concrete actions. Because all participants are actively involved, it is particularly well suited to the collaborative development of results.

Complaint Choir

A Complaint Choir is a participatory format in which people collect complaints, frustrations, and everyday annoyances from their daily lives. These are then transformed into song lyrics and performed publicly by a choir. The method does not aim to solve complaints directly. Instead, it makes personal experiences visible, reveals shared concerns, and encourages public discussion of social issues through creativity and humour. By presenting complaints artistically, the format offers an accessible way to address topics that can be difficult to discuss in more traditional participation processes.

Long Night of Museums

The Long Night of Museums is an event format in which multiple institutions extend their opening hours and offer a joint programme. Visitors can explore different venues, visit exhibitions, join guided tours, and engage in conversations with experts and local stakeholders. In participatory processes, this concept is adapted to make projects, planning initiatives, places, or future visions tangible and accessible. Different stations provide information, present ideas, and encourage dialogue. Instead of a traditional information event, the format creates an open and engaging experience that invites people to discover, participate, and exchange ideas.

Critical Mass

Critical Mass is a collective bicycle ride through public streets. Its purpose is to increase the visibility of cycling, raise awareness of the needs of cyclists, and promote sustainable mobility. Participants cycle together along a roughly planned route through the city. The focus is on experiencing public space together, encouraging exchange among participants, and making mobility issues visible in public. Critical Mass rides are generally open to everyone and rely on voluntary participation.

Restaurant Day

Restaurant Day is an open participation format in which people set up temporary restaurants, cafés, or food stalls for one day in public spaces, courtyards, community centres, clubs, or other suitable locations. Within a participation context, the focus is not on the food itself but on conversation. Food serves as a low-threshold opportunity to bring people together, encourage dialogue, and create new connections. Restaurant Days can activate neighbourhoods, engage new target groups, and collect ideas and opinions about places or projects. They are also often used to temporarily transform public spaces and explore new possibilities for their future use.

PechaKucha Night

PechaKucha Night is an event format in which several people present their ideas, projects, experiences, or perspectives through short, image-based presentations. Each presentation consists of 20 slides, with each slide displayed for 20 seconds, resulting in a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. The short presentation format creates dynamic events featuring many different perspectives. The method is particularly suitable for showcasing ideas, connecting people, and initiating discussions.

Content Analysis

Content Analysis is a structured method for analysing qualitative and quantitative data. It helps examine, categorise, and evaluate large amounts of information in a systematic way. All collected material is analysed according to predefined categories. The aim is to identify patterns, relationships, differences, and recurring statements.

Sensemaking

Sensemaking is a collaborative method for analysing and interpreting information, observations, and participation results. Unlike scientific analysis, it does not focus on systematically coding data or conducting statistical evaluations. Instead, it aims to identify patterns, relationships, themes, and insights in order to develop a shared understanding of a situation.

Collaborative Analysis

Collaborative Analysis is a method in which results are not interpreted solely by experts or project leaders but together with the people who participated in the data collection or engagement process. The aim is to incorporate different perspectives into the interpretation and ensure that findings are understood not only about participants but with them.

Thematic Analysis

Thematic Analysis is a method for systematically analysing qualitative data. Its purpose is to identify recurring themes, patterns, and meanings within interviews, statements, notes, or participation results. Unlike Topic Mapping (Affinity Mapping), the data are not only organised but also carefully analysed and interpreted.

Citizen Science

Citizen Science is a participatory approach in which citizens actively contribute to scientific or knowledge-based projects. Rather than acting only as survey respondents, participants take part in the research process itself—for example by helping to develop research questions, collect data, analyse findings, or communicate results. The method combines scientific research with local knowledge and lived experience. This makes it possible to collect large amounts of data, incorporate diverse perspectives, and connect research more closely with real-world societal issues.

Citizens' Public Meeting

A Citizens' Public Meeting is an open participation format in which people are informed about a project or proposal and then invited to share their questions, opinions, suggestions, and concerns. It is particularly suitable for reaching a large number of people at the same time, increasing transparency, and gathering initial public feedback. The format usually combines an information session with an open discussion. Depending on the topic and the number of participants, discussions may take place in plenary, at themed discussion tables, or in smaller groups.

Dynamic Facilitation

Dynamic Facilitation is a facilitation method designed for complex, emotional, or deadlocked issues. Unlike traditional workshops, it does not aim to structure discussions, evaluate ideas, or reach decisions as quickly as possible. Instead, it creates space for different perspectives, emotions, ideas, and concerns. The goal is to enable a shared creative breakthrough, allowing the group to develop new solutions that are supported by everyone involved.

Citizens' Council (Wisdom Council)

A Citizens' Council based on the Wisdom Council model brings together a small group of randomly selected citizens who spend one to two days discussing societal challenges and developing shared recommendations. Using the facilitation method of Dynamic Facilitation, participants often generate new perspectives and creative solutions that go beyond conventional discussion formats. The recommendations are then presented publicly and serve as a starting point for further dialogue with policymakers, public authorities, and the wider community.

Citizens' Assembly

A Citizens' Assembly brings together a randomly selected group of citizens who work intensively over an extended period on an issue of public importance. The aim is to combine diverse perspectives and develop well-informed recommendations for policymakers and public authorities. The method is particularly suitable for complex or controversial issues where broad societal perspectives should be considered.

Participatory Budget

A Participatory Budget is a participation method that allows citizens to propose and decide on projects to improve their neighbourhood, municipality, or city. A predefined public budget is made available to fund selected ideas. The method combines participation with tangible outcomes, enabling citizens to directly influence how public funds are invested in their community.

Art of Harvesting – Capturing and Documenting Results

Art of Harvesting refers to a collection of methods used to capture, document, and further develop insights, ideas, and experiences generated during participation processes. The focus is not only on collecting outcomes but also on making learning processes, relationships, and shared understanding visible. The method is commonly used alongside dialogue and participation formats.

Future Workshop

A Future Workshop is a participatory method in which participants collaboratively analyse problems, develop visions for the future, and translate them into concrete actions. The method combines creative thinking with practical planning and is particularly suitable for topics that require innovative ideas and long-term perspectives. A Future Workshop consists of three consecutive phases: the Critique Phase, the Vision Phase, and the Implementation Phase. This structured process encourages participants to move deliberately from identifying problems to imagining desirable futures and finally to developing realistic actions. The method often leads to creative, collaboratively developed solutions.

Listening and Speaking

Listening and Speaking is a structured dialogue method in which participants listen attentively to one another and share their perspectives without interruption. The focus is not on debating or evaluating what is said, but on developing mutual understanding. The method creates a safe and respectful environment in which different perspectives can be expressed openly. It is particularly suitable for sensitive topics, the early stages of conflict resolution, or situations where trust needs to be built.

World Café

World Café is a participatory method that encourages the open exchange of knowledge, experiences, and ideas. Participants discuss prepared questions in small groups at several tables. By regularly moving between tables, new conversation groups are formed, allowing ideas to evolve, different perspectives to be connected, and shared insights to emerge. The atmosphere is intentionally designed to resemble a café—open, informal, and welcoming. This makes the method particularly effective for engaging large numbers of people in accessible dialogue and encouraging collaborative thinking. A World Café can be held as a standalone event or as part of a larger participation process.

Competition

A Competition is a participation method in which citizens are invited to submit their own ideas, proposals, or projects on a specific topic. The aim is to generate creative ideas, encourage participation, and actively involve people in planning or design processes. Prizes, public recognition, or the possibility of having ideas implemented can provide additional motivation for participation.

Traffic Pilot Project

A Traffic Pilot Project is a temporary real-world experiment in public space in which new traffic measures or street redesigns are tested for a limited period of time. The aim is to evaluate how these measures affect traffic flow, public space use, safety, and the overall quality of the urban environment, and to assess whether they should be implemented permanently. Rather than discussing proposed changes only in theory, a Traffic Pilot Project allows residents and stakeholders to experience and evaluate them under everyday conditions.

Survey

A Survey is a participation method used to systematically collect opinions, experiences, needs, or assessments from a large number of people. It is particularly useful for gathering feedback efficiently and identifying trends, priorities, or public sentiment. Surveys can be conducted in person, online, or through a combination of both. Questions may be closed-ended, using predefined response options, or open-ended, allowing participants to provide their own answers. While closed-ended questions enable straightforward and comparable analysis, open-ended questions often provide richer insights and more personal perspectives.

Walking Tour

A Walking Tour is a participatory method in which residents, planning professionals, public authorities, and policymakers explore a specific area together on site. During the walk, participants visit selected locations, identify challenges, and discuss possible improvements directly where they occur. The method is particularly well suited to topics with a strong spatial dimension, as places can be experienced and assessed collectively. Walking through an area together often reveals practical insights and everyday perspectives that may not emerge in traditional meeting formats.

Round Table

A Round Table is a participation method in which representatives of different stakeholder groups come together to discuss a shared issue or conflict. The aim is to make different perspectives visible, foster mutual understanding, and collaboratively develop sustainable solutions or agreements.

Panel Discussion

A Panel Discussion is a participatory format in which different people publicly discuss a specific topic. It brings together diverse perspectives, interests, and opinions. Panelists often include experts, representatives from politics or public administration, interest groups, and people directly affected by the issue.

Planning Cell

A Planning Cell is a participatory method in which randomly selected citizens work together to develop solutions for societal or planning-related challenges. Over the course of several days, participants explore a topic in depth, receive information from experts, and collaboratively develop recommendations. Participants act as citizen assessors, building their understanding of the topic through expert presentations, discussions, and changing small-group sessions. The process concludes with the preparation of a Citizens' Report, which contains concrete recommendations for policymakers and public authorities.

Planning Workshop

A Planning Workshop is a participatory method in which residents work together with planning professionals, public authorities, and policymakers on concrete planning projects. During collaborative workshop sessions, participants discuss ideas, identify challenges, and develop proposals that are visualised directly on maps, plans, or physical models. The method is particularly suitable for urban development and design projects where local knowledge and community perspectives should actively inform the planning process.

Planning for Real

Planning for Real is a participatory method in which residents collaboratively develop ideas and proposals for improving a specific place. At the heart of the process is a three-dimensional model of a neighbourhood, public square, or district, which participants use to identify challenges, express ideas, and visualise possible changes. Over an extended period, participants work together to develop ideas for their neighbourhood or public space. The physical model makes planning proposals more tangible and easier to understand, even for people without planning expertise. The method is particularly effective for capturing local knowledge and jointly prioritising concrete actions.

Photo Voice

Photo Voice is a creative participation method in which participants express their perspectives on a topic through photographs. They capture places, situations, or details that represent their experiences, concerns, wishes, or positive examples from everyday life. The photographs make personal perspectives visible and help others better understand how people perceive places, environments, and specific issues.

Open Space

Open Space is an open participation method in which participants decide for themselves which topics they want to discuss. The process is guided only by a shared overarching theme. The specific questions explored and the direction of the discussions emerge from the interests and ideas of the participants themselves. The method is particularly effective when bringing together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Participants are free to move between discussion groups, introduce new topics, or simply listen. This creates a dynamic, self-organised environment for dialogue and collaboration.

Online Participation

Online Participation is a digital engagement method that enables people to take part in planning and decision-making processes through a website or online platform. Participants can access information, contribute ideas, comment on proposals, evaluate suggestions, or collaborate using interactive maps and discussion tools. Participation can take place live during an event or asynchronously over a longer period, allowing people to contribute regardless of time or location. This makes it possible to reach a wide range of participants while offering greater flexibility than traditional in-person formats.

Street Talk

Street Talk is a low-threshold participation method that takes place in public spaces. Project teams engage directly with people in locations such as market squares, pedestrian areas, or public transport stops. The aim is to gather opinions, experiences, and needs in an informal way while also providing information about ongoing projects and opportunities for participation. Street Talks are often organised around a mobile information stand that is open, visible, and inviting. This makes it possible to engage people who would not normally participate in traditional public meetings.

Interview

Interviews are a flexible method for exploring people's opinions, experiences, needs, and perspectives. They are particularly useful for gaining a deeper understanding of individual viewpoints and collecting detailed qualitative information. Interviews can be conducted in person, by telephone, or online. Depending on the objective, interviews may be highly structured or more open-ended. Semi-structured interviews are the most commonly used format, as they combine a prepared interview guide with enough flexibility for open responses and spontaneous follow-up questions.

Simulation Game (Gamification)

A Simulation Game is a participatory method in which participants take on different roles within a fictional scenario and work together to make decisions. Real-world challenges are recreated in a simplified way, allowing participants to better understand complex relationships, conflicts, and decision-making processes through active experience.

Focus Groups

A Focus Group is a moderated group discussion, typically involving 5–8 participants, that is used to explore opinions, needs, experiences, and reactions to a particular topic. The value of the method lies not only in individual responses but also in the interaction between participants, which often reveals shared perspectives, differing viewpoints, and underlying motivations.

Fishbowl

A Fishbowl is a simple discussion format designed for larger groups that brings movement and openness to traditional group discussions. Instead of relying on a fixed panel of speakers, participants can join and leave the discussion at any time, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas. This flexible format encourages diverse perspectives and promotes active participation.

Study Visit

A Study Visit is a guided visit to a location outside the participants' usual environment, allowing them to explore new approaches, projects, or solutions firsthand. Participants experience real-world examples, exchange observations, and discuss how ideas or measures could be adapted to their own context. Study Visits are particularly effective for making complex topics more tangible. Instead of discussing plans or concepts in theory, participants can experience existing places directly and reflect on them together. The method is commonly used in urban development, mobility, public space design, and climate adaptation projects.

Community Mapping (Map-Based Method)

Community Mapping is a participatory method that enables people to represent their perceptions of a place using maps or drawings. Participants identify important locations, frequently used routes, barriers, or everyday challenges by marking them on a map. This makes local knowledge, experiences, and needs visible in a spatial context.

Charrette

A Charrette is an intensive participatory planning process used to collaboratively develop ideas, visions, and design concepts for specific places or neighbourhoods. In an open and creative environment, residents, planning professionals, public authorities, and other stakeholders work together to create spatial concepts and planning proposals.

Citizen Forum

A Citizen Forum is a participatory format that enables dialogue between residents, policymakers, public authorities, and other relevant stakeholders. Its purpose is to bring together diverse perspectives, discuss shared challenges, and collaboratively develop solutions. By combining face-to-face events with digital participation formats, a larger number of people can be involved over an extended period of time.

Activating Survey

An activating survey is an open participation method in which residents are asked about their opinions, experiences, and attitudes. At the same time, they are encouraged to become actively involved and contribute to the development of solutions within their neighborhood or local environment.

Discover, Dream, Design, Destiny

Discover, Dream, Design, Destiny is a participatory method based on the principles of Appreciative Inquiry. Rather than focusing on problems, participants build on existing strengths, successful experiences, and positive examples. Together, they develop a shared vision for the future and identify practical actions based on what already works well. The method is particularly suitable for change processes that aim to strengthen collaboration, motivation, and collective development.

Collaborative Planning

Collaborative Planning is a long-term participation method in which citizens are supported by a professional facilitator who helps represent their interests throughout planning processes. The aim is to empower people who have little influence or limited experience with participation, ensuring that their perspectives are included in planning and decision-making. The method is particularly suitable for complex or long-term urban development and planning projects.

Agenda Conference

An Agenda Conference is a participatory method designed for larger groups to collaboratively identify problems, define shared goals, and develop concrete ideas for the future. The method combines open discussions with clearly structured working sessions and is particularly suitable as the starting point for long-term participation processes. Its aim is to bring together different perspectives and initiate joint projects or actions.

Topic Mapping

Topic Mapping (also known as Affinity Mapping) is a method for organising and structuring large amounts of information, statements, or ideas. Individual contributions are collected, grouped according to their similarities, and organised into thematic clusters. The method is particularly useful after workshops, interviews, surveys, or participation activities when a large number of diverse results need to be analysed.