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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Decision Making Decision Rights Mapping |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 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. | In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 30–60 min | 90-180 min | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 4-8 | 4-12 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Decision Rights Matrix, Agreement | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |