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Criterion
Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Empathy Mapping
Paper illustration of a decision table with criteria rows, weighted ratings, and a narrowly leading alternative.
Decision Making
Decision Matrix
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
Paper illustration of the Lightning Decision Jam working structure.
Facilitation
Decision Jam
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 several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic.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 decision is stuck, Decision Jam loosens the knot through structured separation of problem, idea, and selection. The format creates movement without jumping prematurely at the first seemingly elegant answer.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
30–60 min45-90 min45–90 min60-90 min
Participantsdifferent
4-82-83-104-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research GapsDecision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected OptionTheme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areasProblem Cluster, Prioritized Challenge, Experiment
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop
DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
FacilitationDecisionProblem solvingWorkshop
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