technique

方(xxxしかた)	See やり方

方(xxxやりかた)	This is the most commonly used word for “way to do” – but it’s SO common it’s not really equivalent to the English “technique.” You’d have a technique for enriching uranium or breathing fire. You’d have a し方 for using a spoon or folding bedsheets. $$$

技術(ぎじゅつ)	Technique – used mostly with industry or artisans. $$$

技(わざ)	Technique – originally used with martial arts.

手法(しゅほう)	A method (better yet, a process!) – usually used with arts, theaters, photography. Like a method for etching or lithography which uses certain acids and chemicals. As opposed to the actual skill of doing a nice drawing on the lithograph itself.

手段(しゅだん)	A means or way to do something. More technical sounding than simply 方法（ほうほう）. If you want to announce to the world a new way of doing something (studying Japanese, for instance), you’d use 手段.