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Selected:Card SortingArchitecture Decision Record8D Problem SolvingATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When content only makes sense internally and users can't find the structure again, card sorting exposes their mental order. Terms, groups, and naming are then aligned with the target group's expectations. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | High | High |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 15-45 min | 1-6 Wochen | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 1-3 | 4-10 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationStructure | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders |