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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
Paper illustration for Soft Systems Methodology.
Systems Thinking
Soft Systems Methodology
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.Soft Systems Methodology helps explore unclear or politically charged problems systematically. Instead of forcing a quick answer, the method builds a shared understanding of perspectives and room for action.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHigh
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen0.5-3 Tage
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen5-15
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsRich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
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Often compared together

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

Paper illustration for Cynefin Workshop.
Decision Making
Cynefin Workshop
Rich Picture workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Rich Picture
Paper illustration of VUCA Scan with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
VUCA Scan
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument Mapping