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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  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. | IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus. | 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 | 1-3 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |
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