methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Paper illustration showing three sorted card stacks and an open question about a possible group.
UX Research
Card Sorting
Paper illustration of Design Charrette with its method-specific working model.
Innovation
Design Charrette
Paper illustration of a branching category tree with a highlighted search path and possible dead ends.
UX Research
Tree Testing
Paper illustration of the Lotus Blossom working structure.
Innovation
Lotus Blossom
Purposedifferent
When content only makes sense internally and users can't find the structure again, card sorting exposes their mental order. Terms, groups, and naming are then aligned with the target group's expectations.In a tightly timed design process with many participants, the method pools several lines of thinking in a short time. It brings parallel design energy without letting the discussion tip into endless coordination. This quickly produces solid directions for architecture or space.When a navigation exists but search paths still fail, tree testing checks findability without visual distraction. The method shows whether labels, levels, and paths really lead to the intended destination.When a central question feels too large, the method breaks it into neighboring topic fields with their own depth of ideation. It holds structure and openness at the same time, so adjacent perspectives don't get lost. This grows an idea space out of a core problem.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
20-45 minHalber Tag bis mehrere Tage1-2 Tage45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
Based on research question10-50Based on research question3-10
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopAsyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Content groups, Label set, IA hypothesesSketches and Concepts, Consolidated Solution Sketch, Prioritized DirectionFindability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IALotus Diagram, Idea Themes, Shortlist
Tagsno overlap
Information architectureNavigationStructure
BrainstormingWorkshopCollaborationIdeation
Information architectureNavigationFindability
BrainstormingIdeationCreativityDivergenceWorkshop
Add more methods