Empathy Map

How to Create an Empathy Map

An Empathy Map is typically divided into four quadrants: Says, Thinks, Does, and Feels. To create one, gather your team and follow these steps:

1. Define your user or persona
2. Fill in the "Says" quadrant with direct quotes from user research
3. Add observations about what the user does in the "Does" quadrant
4. Interpret the user's thoughts in the "Thinks" section
5. Infer the user's emotions in the "Feels" quadrant

Benefits of Using Empathy Maps in User Research

Empathy Maps offer several advantages in the user research process:

1. Foster empathy: They help team members step into the user's shoes
2. Identify pain points: Reveal user frustrations and challenges
3. Guide decision-making: Inform product design and development choices
4. Improve communication: Create a shared understanding of user needs
5. Enhance user personas: Add depth and context to user profiles

Frequently Asked Questions

• What's the difference between an Empathy Map and a User Persona?: An Empathy Map focuses on a user's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a specific context, while a User Persona is a fictional representation of a user type that includes demographic information and general characteristics.

• How often should I update an Empathy Map?: It's best to update your Empathy Map regularly, especially after conducting new user research or when there are significant changes in your product or market.

• Can Empathy Maps be used for B2B products?: Yes, Empathy Maps can be valuable for B2B products. In this case, you might create maps for different stakeholders within an organization who influence the purchasing decision.