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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Context Map workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Domain Modeling
Context Map
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
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.When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions.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.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
MediumLowMediumMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen30-120 min1-3 h45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen2-62-82-5
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsObservation Notes, Improvement IdeasContext Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary NotesA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
LeanObservationProcessOperations
Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
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