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Criterion
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
A paper-based illustration representing Service Blueprint with its core stages and visible working result.
UX Design
Service Blueprinting
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
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 service experience is spread across several touchpoints, it brings frontstage and backstage together. It shows where user contact and internal responsibility must fit.ATAM helps teams weigh architecture decisions when quality goals compete. The team considers business goals, stakeholder expectations, and technical decisions together. The evaluation shows which risks need further investigation.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighHighLow
Timedifferent
45–90 min0.5-2 TageSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
3-106-12Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders2-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areasService Blueprint, Fail Points, Ownership MapPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsFishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
Service designOperationsJourneyBlueprint
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
Root causeQualityOperations
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