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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Innovation Brainstorming |  Innovation Rapid Ideation |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 decision needs to be prepared quickly, the method generates many solution-close variants in a short time. It deliberately relies on pace to undercut self-censorship and perfectionism. This quickly produces a usable field for prioritization and further work. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 30-60 min | 5-20 min | 30–60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-12 | 1-20 | 4-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Idea pool, Theme clusters, Shortlist | Ideenpool, Roh-Shortlist, Cluster | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityWorkshopDivergence | BrainstormingIdeationDivergenceSpeed | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop |