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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
Paper illustration for ALPEN Method
Operations
ALPEN Method
Paper illustration for Diary Study.
UX Research
Diary Study
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 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.When experiences build up over days or weeks and a single session cannot capture them, Diary Study records the course of everyday life. Recurring triggers, moods, and habits become visible this way, beyond the sharpness of memory.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen10-20 min daily1-4 Wochen
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen15-20
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsDaily Plan, Time Estimates, Review NotesDiary Entries, Longitudinal Patterns, Experience Timeline
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations
UX researchTrackingBehavior
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Often compared together

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 notes move from an inbox to action, project and calendar collections.
Operations
Getting Things Done
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
A paper tomato timer connects a focus task, short breaks and a work record.
Operations
Pomodoro Technique