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| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Affinity Diagramming | ![]() UX Research Empathy Mapping | ![]() Decision Making Cynefin Workshop | ![]() Facilitation Decision Jam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 problems are unclear, chaotic, or only seemingly familiar, standard recipes fall short. A Cynefin Workshop sorts situations by the nature of their problem and connects them with matching action logic. | When a decision is stuck, Decision Jam loosens the knot through structured separation of problem, idea, and selection. The format creates movement without jumping prematurely at the first seemingly elegant answer. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 30–60 min | 60-180 min | 60-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-8 | 4-20 | 4-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Cynefin Map, Domain-specific Actions, Sensemaking Notes | Problem Cluster, Prioritized Challenge, Experiment |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | ComplexitySensemakingDecision | FacilitationDecisionProblem solvingWorkshop |



