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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |  Innovation Design Sprint |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly. | When the product question is unclear and time pressure is high, the method takes a team from an open idea to a testable solution. It connects problem understanding, decision, and learning in one compact format, lowering the risk of spending a lot of energy on a mere guess. | 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 | High | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 1-6 Wochen | 4-5 Tage | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-10 | 5-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |