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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
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.An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLow
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen15-45 min
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen1-3
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsADR File, Decision Log, Rationale
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
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Often compared together

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

Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Views and Beyond method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Views and Beyond
Architecture Communication Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Communication Canvas