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| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Operations After-Action Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 1-3 h | 45-90 min | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 3-10 | 2-5 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | ProcessOperationsImprovement | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | LearningOperationsImprovement |