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Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
Systems Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Systems Mapping
Context Map workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Domain Modeling
Context Map
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.Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins.When several contexts need to talk to each other, it makes their relationships and dependencies legible. It helps sort integration pressure and responsibilities across system boundaries.
Complexitysame
MediumMediumMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen1-3 h1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen3-122-8
Formatsame
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsSystem Map, Dependencies, Leverage PointsContext Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary Notes
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange
Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy
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Often compared together

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

Paper illustration for Domain Context Map
Domain Modeling
Domain Context Map
Paper illustration of Leverage Points with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
Leverage Points
A paper-based illustration representing Bounded Context Canvas with its core stages and visible working result.
Domain Modeling
Bounded Context Canvas
Paper illustration of the Force Field Analysis working structure.
Decision Making
Force Field Analysis