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| Criterion |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Operations Standard Work Analysis |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When the same task is done differently depending on the person, the method exposes the reliable core. It creates comparability without unnecessarily choking off needed latitude. | 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. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 Tage | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 2-6 | Based on research question | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Standard Work Sheet, Deviation List, Improved Standard, Training Needs | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationStructure | LeanProcessQuality | Information architectureNavigationFindability | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |