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Criterion
Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Empathy Mapping
Paper illustration showing three sorted card stacks and an open question about a possible group.
UX Research
Card Sorting
A paper-based illustration representing Design Sprint with its core stages and visible working result.
Innovation
Design Sprint
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.When the product question is unclear and time pressure is high, the method takes a team from an open idea to a testable solution. It connects problem understanding, decision, and learning in one compact format, lowering the risk of spending a lot of energy on a mere guess.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowHigh
Timedifferent
30–60 min20-45 min4-5 Tage
Participantsdifferent
4-8Based on research question5-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research GapsContent groups, Label set, IA hypothesesPrototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop
Information architectureNavigationStructure
Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
Design Thinking as a learning loop: an observation notebook, a focused problem statement, different idea sketches, a cardboard prototype and user-test notes. Feedback leads to new understanding.
Innovation
Design Thinking
First-click Testing method illustration showing its working structure
UX Research
First-click Testing
Paper illustration for Risk Storming.
Architecture
Risk Storming