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Selected:Contextual InquiryKnowledge MappingRoot Cause Tree AnalysisFailure Mode and Effects Analysis
| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Knowledge Modeling Knowledge Mapping |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable. | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | For a process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 1-3 h | 1-3 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 3-12 | 2-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Knowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer Plan | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | KnowledgeMappingRisk | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause |