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| Criterion | ![]() Operations Kepner-Tregoe | ![]() UX Research Empathy Mapping | ![]() UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. | 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 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 | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-8 h | 30–60 min | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 4-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |
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