Metoddel

Metoddel is a term used in some methodological literatures to refer to a modular unit within a broader methodological framework. A Metoddel encapsulates a specific technique, sub-process, or workflow fragment and is designed for reuse across different projects or contexts. It defines its own inputs and outputs, the activities it entails, the roles involved, and criteria for evaluating its success, allowing practitioners to assemble customized processes by combining multiple Metoddel units.

Typically a Metoddel is described as technology-agnostic and interoperable, with a lightweight interface that specifies data formats, handoffs, and dependencies on other Metodddels. It may include a short rationale, contextual constraints, and guidance for adaptation while preserving the core method.

Applications include project management, software development, quality assurance, and education, where teams mix and match Metodddels to fit a context. The approach supports experimentation with configurations to optimize performance, risk, or learning outcomes, and encourages explicit documentation of assumptions and evaluation metrics.

Origin and usage: The term appears in Scandinavian-influenced literature on modular methodologies, combining "metod" (method) with "del" (part). It is not a universally standardized concept, and definitions vary across disciplines.

See also: modular design, process modeling, methodology, component-based design.