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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  UX Research User Interviews |  Product Discovery Opportunity Interview |  Product Discovery Problem Interview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 teams derive needs only from assumptions and real motives are missing, user interviews give direct access to behavior and meaning. Conversations from the target group's everyday life make patterns, tensions, and open questions solidly visible. | 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 the picture of the problem still needs to become solid, it asks about real situations and consequences. It separates genuine suffering from mere interest in a solution. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 30–60 min per interview | 30-60 min je Interview | 30-60 min je Interview |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1 participant per interview | 5-12 Interviews | 5-12 Interviews |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Interview Notes, Themes, Insight Summary | Interview Notes, Opportunity Themes, Customer Quotes | Problem Evidence, Risk Notes, Customer Segments |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | QualitativeResearchCustomerDiscovery | DiscoveryInterviewsOpportunityCustomer | DiscoveryInterviewsValidation |