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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Innovation Design Sprint |  Product Discovery Problem Interview |  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 the product question is unclear and time pressure is high, the method takes a team from an open idea to a testable solution. It connects problem understanding, decision, and learning in one compact format, lowering the risk of spending a lot of energy on a mere guess. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 4-5 Tage | 30-60 min je Interview | 30–60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 5-8 | 5-12 Interviews | 4-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale | Problem Evidence, Risk Notes, Customer Segments | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation | DiscoveryInterviewsValidation | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop |