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Criterion
Paper illustration of a participant using a prototype while an observer takes notes beside a highlighted usability issue.
UX Research
Usability Testing
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration for Kepner-Tregoe
Operations
Kepner-Tregoe
Purposedifferent
When a product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down.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 a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together.For a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMediumHigh
Timedifferent
1-2 h je Session45–90 min45-90 min2-8 h
Participantsdifferent
Based on research question3-102-52-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Usability Issues, Severity List, RecommendationsTheme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areasA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause AnalysisProblem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan
Tagsno overlap
ValidationUXPrototype
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations
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