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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Product Discovery Opportunity Solution Tree |  Architecture C4 Model |
|---|---|---|---|
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 discovery keeps swinging between goals, ideas, and learning loops, it creates clear steering logic. It connects the desired outcome, opportunities, and experiments into a legible structure. | The C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 1-2 h Setup, laufend | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-6 | 1-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Opportunity Solution Tree, Experiment Backlog, Learning Log | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | DiscoveryOutcomesExperimentsOpportunity | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |
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