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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Product Strategy Lean Canvas |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 an early product bet still has too many open points, it brings target group, problem, and assumptions into a single view. It condenses the idea so core risks become nameable. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 30–60 min | 45-90 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-8 | 1-6 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Lean Canvas, Core Assumptions, Experiment Backlog | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | StartupLeanAssumptionsBusiness model | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |