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Criterion
Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Empathy Mapping
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
Purposedifferent
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.For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together.When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLow
Timedifferent
30–60 min45-90 min30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
4-82-52-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research GapsA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause AnalysisFishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
Root causeQualityOperations
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis