View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Contextual Inquiry | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping | ![]() Domain Modeling Context Map |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. | When several contexts need to talk to each other, it makes their relationships and dependencies legible. It helps sort integration pressure and responsibilities across system boundaries. |
Complexitysame | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 1-2 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 4-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Context Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary Notes |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.






