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| Criterion |  Architecture arc42 |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. | 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. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 30–60 min | 1-2 h | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 4-8 | 3-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |