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Criterion
Paper illustration of a branching category tree with a highlighted search path and possible dead ends.
UX Research
Tree Testing
Paper illustration for Contradiction Analysis.
Innovation
Contradiction Analysis
A paper-based illustration representing Design Sprint with its core stages and visible working result.
Innovation
Design Sprint
Paper illustration showing three sorted card stacks and an open question about a possible group.
UX Research
Card Sorting
Purposedifferent
When a navigation exists but search paths still fail, tree testing checks findability without visual distraction. The method shows whether labels, levels, and paths really lead to the intended destination.When a system should improve while another measure suffers as a result, the method makes the underlying conflict precisely formulable. It separates the desired effect from its side effect. This makes solutions possible that address the contradiction deliberately instead of half-heartedly.When the product question is unclear and time pressure is high, the method takes a team from an open idea to a testable solution. It connects problem understanding, decision, and learning in one compact format, lowering the risk of spending a lot of energy on a mere guess.When content only makes sense internally and users can't find the structure again, card sorting exposes their mental order. Terms, groups, and naming are then aligned with the target group's expectations.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumHighLow
Timedifferent
1-2 Tage60-120 min4-5 Tage20-45 min
Participantsdifferent
Based on research question2-85-8Based on research question
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IAContradiction Statement, Abstraction Notes, Solution Principles, Concept IdeasPrototype, Test Findings, Decision RationaleContent groups, Label set, IA hypotheses
Tagsno overlap
Information architectureNavigationFindability
ContradictionsInnovationProblem solving
Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation
Information architectureNavigationStructure
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