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| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Operations DMAIC |  Domain Modeling Context Map |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For a process problem with fluctuating performance, the method brings analysis and improvement into a disciplined sequence. It creates a framework in which numbers, causes, and control come together. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 2-12 Wochen | 1-3 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 3-10 | 2-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Project Charter, Measurement Plan, Cause Analysis, Control Plan | Context Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary Notes | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | Continuous improvementQualityProcess improvement | Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |