User Research: Analysis Spreadsheet Versus Affinity Diagram

Analysis Spreadsheet 

The spreadsheet is typed out usually in Excel and edited by a single person.
Columns separate research to easily read about experiences, issues, performances and themes

Best used for:

-doing analysis alone
-analyzing usability testing results
-you want to type up your notes and track and use completion
-task performances, common issues, user experiences and themes that have been observed

Affinity Diagram 

Transferring of Handwritten notes to Post-it Notes
Group related notes together, forming levels or related groups and sub-related groups

Cons of the diagram include:

time consumption; takes up a lot of time posting notes on a board
space - takes a lot of room
lack of mobility; it only stays on the wall
non-durable post-it notes

Best Used for:

-You want to attract their attention visually for this research.
-Group effort
-analyzing user research findings; a high-level issue for the company




Sources:

Part 1 for explaining the importance of an Analysis Spreadsheet:
https://www.infragistics.com/community/blogs/b/ux/posts/which-is-better-for-analysis-spreadsheets-or-affinity-diagrams-part-1

Part 2 for explaining the importance of an Affinity Diagram:
https://www.infragistics.com/community/blogs/b/ux/posts/which-is-better-for-analysis-spreadsheets-or-affinity-diagrams-part-2