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| Criterion |  Operations Fault Tree Analysis |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a critical top event with several possible triggers, the method logically models failure paths. It makes visible which combinations of conditions can lead to damage. | 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. | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. | 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 | High | Low | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-6 h | 30–60 min | 2-6 h | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 4-8 | 3-10 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Fault Tree, Critical Paths, Cause Hypotheses, Control Actions | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | RiskRoot causeSafety | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |