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| Criterion |  UX Research Card Sorting |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  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 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 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 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 | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 1-2 Tage | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | Based on research question | 1-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationStructure | Information architectureNavigationFindability | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |