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| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 10-20 min daily | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 1 | 1-8 | 2-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations |