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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
Process Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Operations
Process Mapping
Paper illustration for Kaizen Event.
Operations
Kaizen Event
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 tightly scoped process segment with noticeable waste, the method bundles shared energy for change. It suits situations that call for fast learning loops and visible adjustments.
Complexitysame
MediumMediumMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen1-3 h0.5-5 Tage
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen3-104-10
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsProcess Map, Handoff List, Improvement BacklogKaizen Charter, Waste List, Improvement Experiments, Standard Work Update
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
ProcessOperationsImprovement
LeanContinuous improvementOperations
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Often compared together

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

Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration of a review with planned work, actual event sequence, comparison, and assigned improvement actions.
Operations
After-Action Review
Paper illustration for PDCA Cycle.
Operations
PDCA Cycle