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| Criterion |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Decision Making Trade-off Analysis |  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 limited resources, quality, speed, cost, and risk almost always compete with each other. Trade-off Analysis makes these tensions explicit and prevents decisions from producing hidden side effects. | 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 | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–60 min | 45-120 min | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-8 | 2-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Trade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted Downsides | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |
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