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| Criterion |  Operations ABC Analysis |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With many similar objects of differing economic significance, the method prioritizes effort by effect. It separates what needs regular steering from what rarely needs attention. | 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 a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | 20-45 min | 2-8 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | Based on research question | 2-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ABC Classification, Focus Rules, Control List | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | PrioritizationOperationsPortfolio | Information architectureNavigationStructure | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |