View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Product Strategy Impact Mapping |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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 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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-120 min | 45-90 min | 1-3 Wochen | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-8 | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Impact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery Options | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | LeanObservationProcessOperations | OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning | UX researchObservationContext | StrategyAnalysisPlanning |