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| Criterion |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Innovation Lotus Blossom |  Innovation Rapid Ideation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a central question feels too large, the method breaks it into neighboring topic fields with their own depth of ideation. It holds structure and openness at the same time, so adjacent perspectives don't get lost. This grows an idea space out of a core problem. | When a decision needs to be prepared quickly, the method generates many solution-close variants in a short time. It deliberately relies on pace to undercut self-censorship and perfectionism. This quickly produces a usable field for prioritization and further work. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–60 min | 20-45 min | 45-90 min | 5-20 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-8 | Based on research question | 3-10 | 1-20 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Lotus Diagram, Idea Themes, Shortlist | Ideenpool, Roh-Shortlist, Cluster |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | Information architectureNavigationStructure | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityDivergenceWorkshop | BrainstormingIdeationDivergenceSpeed |