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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
Paper illustration for Behavior Over Time Graph.
Systems Thinking
Behavior Over Time Graph
Paper illustration of a Concept Map with concepts and labelled links
Knowledge Modeling
Concept Mapping
Iceberg Model method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Iceberg Model
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.A Behavior Over Time Graph shows how a metric or observation develops over time. The method makes trends, breaks, and recurring patterns visible that get lost in snapshots.Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly.The Iceberg Model separates visible events from patterns, structures, and mental models. This turns a single observation into a deeper understanding of why a problem keeps recurring.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen20-45 min1-2 h30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen1-101-82-10
Formatsame
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsBehavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key EventsConcept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge GapsIceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention Ideas
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics
KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking
Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns
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