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| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations Standard Work Analysis |  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. | When the same task is done differently depending on the person, the method exposes the reliable core. It creates comparability without unnecessarily choking off needed latitude. | 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 | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 1-3 h | 2-12 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 1-8 | 2-6 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Standard Work Sheet, Deviation List, Improved Standard, Training Needs | Project Charter, Measurement Plan, Cause Analysis, Control Plan |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LeanProcessQuality | Continuous improvementQualityProcess improvement |