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| Criterion | ![]() Domain Modeling Context Map | ![]() Product Strategy Impact Mapping | ![]() UX Research Empathy Mapping | ![]() UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When several contexts need to talk to each other, it makes their relationships and dependencies legible. It helps sort integration pressure and responsibilities across system boundaries. | When a goal needs to be connected to several possible paths, it shows chains of impact instead of feature lists. It connects business goal, behavior change, and measures. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 45-90 min | 30–60 min | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-8 | 4-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary Notes | Impact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery Options | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy | OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |



