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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Concept Map with concepts and labelled links
Knowledge Modeling
Concept Mapping
Paper illustration showing three sorted card stacks and an open question about a possible group.
UX Research
Card Sorting
Paper illustration for Knowledge Mapping.
Knowledge Modeling
Knowledge Mapping
Paper mind map with a central course onboarding question, colored main branches, keywords and cross-links.
Facilitation
Mind Mapping
Purposedifferent
Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly.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.Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable.When a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-2 h20-45 min1-3 h15-45 min
Participantsdifferent
1-8Based on research question3-121-10
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge GapsContent groups, Label set, IA hypothesesKnowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer PlanMind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions
Tagsno overlap
KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking
Information architectureNavigationStructure
KnowledgeMappingRisk
BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation
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