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| Criterion |  Decision Making Argument Mapping |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. | For a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. | 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. | 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 | Medium | High | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 2-8 h | 45–90 min | 1-6 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-8 | 3-10 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | SensemakingDecisionRationale | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause |