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Criterion
Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Empathy Mapping
Process Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Operations
Process Mapping
Paper illustration of the Lightning Decision Jam working structure.
Facilitation
Decision Jam
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
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.With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
30–60 min1-3 h60-90 min45–90 min
Participantsdifferent
4-83-104-103-10
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research GapsProcess Map, Handoff List, Improvement BacklogProblem Cluster, Prioritized Challenge, ExperimentTheme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop
ProcessOperationsImprovement
FacilitationDecisionProblem solvingWorkshop
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
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