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| Criterion |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Innovation TRIZ |  Innovation Contradiction Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | When content only makes sense internally and users can't find the structure again, card sorting exposes their mental order. Terms, groups, and naming are then aligned with the target group's expectations. | For technical contradictions or trade-offs, the method looks for solutions that resolve opposing requirements at the same time. It translates limits into an explicit picture of conflict that becomes workable. This produces not just compromises but more elegant principles. | When a system should improve while another measure suffers as a result, the method makes the underlying conflict precisely formulable. It separates the desired effect from its side effect. This makes solutions possible that address the contradiction deliberately instead of half-heartedly. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 20-45 min | 1-4 h | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-5 | Based on research question | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Contradiction Statement, Inventive Principles, Solution Concepts | Contradiction Statement, Abstraction Notes, Solution Principles, Concept Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | Information architectureNavigationStructure | InnovationProblem solvingContradictionsCreativity | ContradictionsInnovationProblem solving |