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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  UX Design Customer Journey Canvas |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 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. | When a journey needs to be understood across several phases, it arranges experience, touchpoints, and opportunities into one picture. It makes gaps and friction along the user path clear. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 30–60 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-8 | 3-10 | 3-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Customer Journey Canvas, Pain Points, Experience Opportunities | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | JourneyCustomerService designCanvas | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |