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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Knowledge Modeling Knowledge Mapping |  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. | Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable. | 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 | 3-12 | 2-6 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Knowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer Plan | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | KnowledgeMappingRisk | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |
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