Empathy Mapping
Empathy mapping is a collaborative visualization tool used to articulate what is known about a particular type of user, typically in design thinking and product development contexts. It externalizes knowledge about users' behaviors, thoughts, feelings, and motivations to create a shared understanding and drive user-centered decisions. The method involves creating a visual map divided into sections like 'Says', 'Thinks', 'Does', and 'Feels' to capture insights from user research.
Developers should learn empathy mapping to better understand end-users and stakeholders, which is crucial for building user-centric software that solves real problems effectively. It is particularly valuable during the discovery and planning phases of projects, such as when defining requirements, designing user interfaces, or improving user experience, as it helps align technical solutions with human needs and reduces assumptions.