View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | 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 several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 45–90 min | 1-2 h | 30–60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-10 | 4-12 | 4-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop |