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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Innovation Brainstorming |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Innovation Reverse Brainstorming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When a team faces an open question with many obvious directions, the method first creates breadth instead of premature commitment. It separates idea flow from evaluation and makes lines of thought visible, creating a pool for selection and further development. | 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. | For persistent errors or blockages, the method shifts the view to the opposite of the desired effect. It exposes the mechanics of failure and makes hidden causes easier to grasp. This makes improvement more concrete and the problem clearer. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 30-60 min | 30–60 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-12 | 4-8 | 3-12 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Idea pool, Theme clusters, Shortlist | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Reverse Ideas, Risk Themes, Solution Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityWorkshopDivergence | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityRisk |