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| Criterion |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |  Operations Gemba Walk |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Operations ALPEN Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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 there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions. | 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 an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 30-120 min | 1-3 Wochen | 10-20 min daily |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 2-6 | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 1 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes |
Tagsno overlap | StrategyAnalysisPlanning | LeanObservationProcessOperations | UX researchObservationContext | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations |