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| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  UX Research Usability Testing |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Innovation Design Sprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down. | When content only makes sense internally and users can't find the structure again, card sorting exposes their mental order. Terms, groups, and naming are then aligned with the target group's expectations. | When the product question is unclear and time pressure is high, the method takes a team from an open idea to a testable solution. It connects problem understanding, decision, and learning in one compact format, lowering the risk of spending a lot of energy on a mere guess. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 1-2 h je Session | 20-45 min | 4-5 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | Based on research question | Based on research question | 5-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ValidationUXPrototype | Information architectureNavigationStructure | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation |