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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
Paper illustration for ABC Analysis
Operations
ABC Analysis
Paper illustration for Fault Tree Analysis.
Operations
Fault Tree Analysis
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
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.With many similar objects of differing economic significance, the method prioritizes effort by effect. It separates what needs regular steering from what rarely needs attention.For a critical top event with several possible triggers, the method logically models failure paths. It makes visible which combinations of conditions can lead to damage.When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowHighLow
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen30-60 min2-6 h30-120 min
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen1-53-82-6
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsABC Classification, Focus Rules, Control ListFault Tree, Critical Paths, Cause Hypotheses, Control ActionsObservation Notes, Improvement Ideas
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
PrioritizationOperationsPortfolio
RiskRoot causeSafety
LeanObservationProcessOperations
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