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| Criterion |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30–60 min | 20-45 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-8 | Based on research question | 2-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | Information architectureNavigationStructure | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations |
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