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| Criterion |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Operations Gemba Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 45-90 min | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 1-8 | 2-5 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationStructure | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations |