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Criterion
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Empathy Mapping
Paper illustration of Decision Rights Mapping with its method-specific working model.
Decision Making
Decision Rights 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.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.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.In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
45–90 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung30–60 min90-180 min
Participantsdifferent
3-103-20 Reviewer4-84-12
Formatdifferent
WorkshopAsyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areasRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsEmpathy Map, Assumptions List, Research GapsDecision Rights Matrix, Agreement
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop
DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility
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