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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 illustration of a branching impact map with a Why goal at the root, actor circles, How behavior changes and What options.
Product Strategy
Impact Mapping
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.When a goal needs to be connected to several possible paths, it shows chains of impact instead of feature lists. It connects business goal, behavior change, and measures.
Complexitysame
MediumMediumMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen45-90 min45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen2-53-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause AnalysisImpact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery Options
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Paper illustration for ALPEN Method
Operations
ALPEN Method
Paper illustration for Diary Study.
UX Research
Diary Study