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Selected:Affinity DiagrammingSoftware Architecture CanvasArchitecture Decision RecordEmpathy Mapping
| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  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. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 1-2 h | 15-45 min | 30–60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-10 | 1-3 | 4-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop |