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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Product Discovery Pretotyping |  Innovation Lean Startup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Pretotyping clarifies whether a customer problem and solution idea create enough real demand. It separates problem, assumption, solution, and evidence, and captures the result as a pretotyping sketch, test setup, and conversion data. | For uncertain business assumptions, the method forces the idea into contact with real market reactions early. It separates wishful picture, assumption, and observable behavior, so that learning becomes faster than planning. This translates uncertainty into measurable insight. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 30–60 min | Stunden bis wenige Tage | Wochen bis Monate je Lernzyklus |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-8 | 1-4 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Pretotyping sketch, Test setup, Conversion data, Go or no-go decision | Hypothesis list, MVPs, Learning reports, Pivot or persevere decision |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | ValidationDemandMVP | LeanStartupValidationMVP |