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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 illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
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.For a process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighHighHigh
Timedifferent
45–90 min0.5-2 TageSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
3-106-12Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders3-10
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 investigationsFMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
Service designOperationsJourneyBlueprint
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause
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