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Criterion
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Empathy Mapping
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Paper illustration for DACI
Decision Making
DACI
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.An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowMediumLow
Timedifferent
45–90 min30–60 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
3-104-83-20 Reviewer2-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areasEmpathy Map, Assumptions List, Research GapsRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsDACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment
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