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| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Contextual Inquiry | ![]() Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping | ![]() Operations Kepner-Tregoe | ![]() Operations 8D 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. | 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. | For a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. | For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 1-2 h | 2-8 h | 1-6 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 1-8 | 2-8 | 4-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause |



