View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Card Sorting | ![]() Systems Thinking Intervention Mapping | ![]() Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree | ![]() Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Intervention Mapping translates a need for change into a planned, evaluable program. The method connects target group, determinants, actions, and measurement into a traceable chain. | A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation. | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 1-5 Tage | 2-4 h | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 4-12 | 3-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Logic Model, Change Objectives, Intervention Components, Evaluation Plan | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationStructure | ChangeSystems thinkingCapability | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking |



