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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations Fishbone Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | The C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. | When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 1-4 h | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-5 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | Root causeQualityOperations |
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