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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
Iceberg Model method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Iceberg Model
Paper illustration of a Concept Map with concepts and labelled links
Knowledge Modeling
Concept 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.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen30-60 min1-2 h
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen2-101-8
Formatsame
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsIceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention IdeasConcept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns
KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Behavior Over Time Graph.
Systems Thinking
Behavior Over Time Graph
Paper illustration for Current Reality Tree
Systems Thinking
Current Reality Tree
Paper illustration of Family Tree Analysis with its method-specific working model.
Operations
Family Tree Analysis
Paper illustration for Knowledge Mapping.
Knowledge Modeling
Knowledge Mapping