View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Behavior Over Time Graph | ![]() Operations Gemba Walk | ![]() UX Research Contextual Inquiry |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A Behavior Over Time Graph shows how a metric or observation develops over time. The method makes trends, breaks, and recurring patterns visible that get lost in snapshots. | When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions. | When work processes are known only from accounts and the real context stays hidden, Contextual Inquiry makes behavior at the workplace visible. Observation and follow-up questions together show how people actually work, get interrupted, and improvise. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 30-120 min | 1-3 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 2-6 | 4-12 Beobachtungen |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Behavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics | LeanObservationProcessOperations | UX researchObservationContext |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.






