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| Criterion | ![]() Operations Family Tree Analysis | ![]() Operations MORT Analysis | ![]() UX Research Empathy Mapping | ![]() UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a series of incidents with a similar pattern, the method arranges individual events as branches of a common origin. It makes visible which conditions keep recurring. | For a safety-relevant event or a system with high protection requirements, the method examines where controls failed. It exposes both technical and organizational gaps. | When a lot is assumed about a target group but little is seen jointly, empathy mapping makes knowledge and gaps directly comparable. The picture also shows which assumptions hold up and where evidence is missing. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | Mehrere Tage bis Wochen | 30–60 min | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 2-6 | 4-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Family Tree Diagram, Pattern Notes, Systemic Measures | MORT Worksheets, Findings per Branch, Corrective Actions, Systemic Recommendations | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | Root causePatternsIncidentSystemic | Root causeSafetySystemicIncident | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |



