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| Criterion |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | 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. | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 45–90 min | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-10 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |
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