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| Criterion |  Innovation Design Thinking |  Product Discovery Solution Interview |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service. | When a solution idea is already on the table, it checks how it is understood and evaluated. It looks for resonance, objections, and missing fit early in the conversation. | 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 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 30-60 min je Interview | 45–90 min | 30–60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-10 | 5-10 Interviews | 3-10 | 4-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Solution Feedback, Objection List, Validation Notes | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps |
Tagsno overlap | InnovationPrototypeResearch | ValidationInterviewsPrototype | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop |