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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Operations Fishbone Diagram |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 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. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 30-60 min | 15-45 min | 1-6 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-8 | 1-3 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | Root causeQualityOperations | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause |