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 |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |  Operations DMAIC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode. | For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | High | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 1-6 Wochen | 2-12 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 1-8 | 4-10 | 3-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan | Project Charter, Measurement Plan, Cause Analysis, Control Plan |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause | Continuous improvementQualityProcess improvement |