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 a branching category tree with a highlighted search path and possible dead ends.
UX Research
Tree Testing
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
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.An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumMedium
Timedifferent
20-45 min1-2 Tage1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung
Participantsdifferent
Based on research questionBased on research question3-20 Reviewer
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Content groups, Label set, IA hypothesesFindability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IARFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets
Tagsno overlap
Information architectureNavigationStructure
Information architectureNavigationFindability
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
Add more methods

Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration of Decision Rights Mapping with its method-specific working model.
Decision Making
Decision Rights Mapping
First-click Testing method illustration showing its working structure
UX Research
First-click Testing