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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper notes move from an inbox to action, project and calendar collections.
Operations
Getting Things Done
Paper illustration for ALPEN Method
Operations
ALPEN Method
Purposedifferent
When work processes are known only from accounts and the real context stays hidden, Contextual Inquiry makes behavior at the workplace visible. Observation and follow-up questions together show how people actually work, get interrupted, and improvise.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.With many open commitments and ideas in daily life, a reliable external storage system emerges. The method relieves the mind so priority and context don't have to compete in memory.With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen45-90 min1-2 h Setup, laufend10-20 min daily
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen2-511
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncAsyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause AnalysisAction Lists, Project List, Review RoutineDaily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
ProductivityPlanningTasksExecution
PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations
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