View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Innovation Lean Startup |  Operations Gemba Walk |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For uncertain business assumptions, the method forces the idea into contact with real market reactions early. It separates wishful picture, assumption, and observable behavior, so that learning becomes faster than planning. This translates uncertainty into measurable insight. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | Wochen bis Monate je Lernzyklus | 30-120 min | 1-3 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 2-6 | 4-12 Beobachtungen |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Hypothesis list, MVPs, Learning reports, Pivot or persevere decision | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points |
Tagsno overlap | LeanStartupValidationMVP | LeanObservationProcessOperations | UX researchObservationContext |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
