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| Criterion |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Innovation Design Thinking |  UX Research Card Sorting |  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. | For complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service. | 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 | Low | High | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 30–60 min | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 20-45 min | 4-5 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 4-8 | 4-10 | Based on research question | 5-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | InnovationPrototypeResearch | Information architectureNavigationStructure | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation |