View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  UX Research HEART Framework |  Decision Making Decision Tree |  Product Strategy Counter Metrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Helps clarify observations, needs, and patterns in concrete terms. It groups observations into patterns, questions, and decisions. The result is captured as a HEART-GSM table and dashboard. | For decisions with follow-on paths and dependencies, a linear comparison is often not enough. A Decision Tree shows how options branch under conditions and which consequences hang on each branch. | When a headline metric could mask side effects, it adds guardrail signals against unwanted outcomes. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as a counter-metric list and guardrail definitions. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 120 min initial, dann laufend | 30-90 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 3-6 | 1-6 | 2-6 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | HEART-GSM Table, Dashboard | Decision Tree, Option Map, Assumption List | Counter Metric List, Guardrail Definitions |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | MetricsUX researchMeasurementSatisfaction | DecisionTreeOptions | MetricsMeasurementStrategyExperiments |