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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus. | For a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 30–60 min | 1-3 h | 2-8 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-8 | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations |