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| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Affinity Diagramming | ![]() Agile ROAM Board | ![]() Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis | ![]() 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 work needs to move between different states or columns, it makes that movement and its handoffs legible. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as a ROAM Board and an Owner List. | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | 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 | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 20-40 min initial, dann laufend | 1-3 h | 1-6 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-15 | 2-8 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | ROAM Board, Owner List | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | RiskAgileTrackingAlignment | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause |



