View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Business Strategy Value Chain Analysis |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |  Product Strategy Impact Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Value Chain Analysis shows where value is created, costs accrue, and differentiation becomes possible along the process. It compares strengths, risks, market logic, and courses of action. The result is captured as a value-chain map and lever list. | GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing. | When a goal needs to be connected to several possible paths, it shows chains of impact instead of feature lists. It connects business goal, behavior change, and measures. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | Half day | 1-3 h | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 3-8 | 2-8 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Value Chain Map, Lever List | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes | Impact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery Options |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | StrategyBusiness modelDiagnosisAnalysis | StrategyAnalysisPlanning | OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning |