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| Criterion | ![]() Innovation Lean Startup | ![]() UX Research Empathy Mapping | ![]() Product Strategy Lean Canvas | ![]() UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For uncertain business assumptions, the method forces the idea into contact with real market reactions early. It separates wishful picture, assumption, and observable behavior, so that learning becomes faster than planning. This translates uncertainty into measurable insight. | 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 an early product bet still has too many open points, it brings target group, problem, and assumptions into a single view. It condenses the idea so core risks become nameable. | 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 | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | Wochen bis Monate je Lernzyklus | 30–60 min | 45-90 min | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 4-8 | 1-6 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Hypothesis list, MVPs, Learning reports, Pivot or persevere decision | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Lean Canvas, Core Assumptions, Experiment Backlog | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | LeanStartupValidationMVP | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | StartupLeanAssumptionsBusiness model | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |



