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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Product Discovery Opportunity Interview |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | 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. | When opportunities are still hidden behind signals of need, it structures conversations around needs and obstacles. It looks for patterns that lead to new product opportunities. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45–90 min | 30-60 min je Interview | 30–60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 3-10 | 5-12 Interviews | 4-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Interview Notes, Opportunity Themes, Customer Quotes | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | DiscoveryInterviewsOpportunityCustomer | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop |