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| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Systems Thinking VUCA Scan |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | The VUCA Scan helps read difficult situations more precisely. Instead of treating unclarity as generally complicated, the method separates fast change, missing knowledge, systemic entanglement, and ambiguous interpretation. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 0.5-3 Tage | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 5-15 | 1-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | VUCA Map, Response Options, Signal and Learning Plan |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | SensemakingUncertaintyComplexityStrategyForesight |
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
