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| Criterion |  Operations Fault Tree Analysis |  Operations Root Cause Analysis |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another. | 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 | High | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 2-6 h | 1-4 h | 45–90 min | 1-6 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 3-8 | 3-10 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Fault Tree, Critical Paths, Cause Hypotheses, Control Actions | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan |
Tags1 shared | RiskRoot causeSafety | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause |