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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Product Discovery Assumption Mapping |  Architecture Risk Storming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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 assumptions still sit unordered in the room, it weighs uncertainty against leverage. It makes visible which hypotheses should be checked first. | Helps clarify architecture context, options, and consequences in concrete terms. It organizes technical context, alternatives, and consequences. The result is captured as an Annotated Diagram, a Prioritized Risk List, and an Action Backlog. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 15-45 min | 45-60 min | 60-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-3 | 2-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Assumption map, Test backlog, Risk ranking | Annotated Diagram, Prioritized Risk List, Action Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | AssumptionsRiskExperimentsValidation | RiskArchitectureWorkshopValidation |