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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
Four paper stations connect system purpose, quality goals, risk cards and focused investigation with a target and gap profile.
Architecture
LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
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.LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail.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 process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLowHigh
Timedifferent
1-2 h je Session3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional45–90 min2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
Based on research question1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people3-103-10
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Usability Issues, Severity List, RecommendationsLean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checksTheme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areasFMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions
Tagsno overlap
ValidationUXPrototype
ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause
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