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Criterion
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
Four paper stations connect system purpose, quality goals, risk cards and focused investigation with a target and gap profile.
Architecture
LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)
Paper illustration for Risk Storming.
Architecture
Risk Storming
Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Empathy Mapping
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.LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail.Helps clarify architecture context, options, and consequences in concrete terms. It organizes technical context, alternatives, and consequences. The result is captured as an Annotated Diagram, a Prioritized Risk List, and an Action Backlog.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
45–90 min3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional60-90 min30–60 min
Participantsdifferent
3-101 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people4-124-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areasLean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checksAnnotated Diagram, Prioritized Risk List, Action BacklogEmpathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean
RiskArchitectureWorkshopValidation
SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop
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