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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |  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. | When several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic. | 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 | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 45-90 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |
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