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| Criterion |  Facilitation Mind Mapping |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Innovation Brainwriting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. | 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. | 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 loud voices or hierarchy distort the idea search, the method creates a quiet entry into joint development. It gives everyone thinking space and gathers contributions without social brakes, making diversity more visible and easier to build on. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45–90 min | 30–60 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 3-10 | 4-8 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Idea sheets, Expanded concepts, Prioritized list |
Tagsno overlap | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | BrainstormingCollaborationInclusionIdeas |