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| Criterion |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Innovation Design Sprint |  Innovation Design Thinking |  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 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. | For complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service. | 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 | Medium | High | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 4-5 Tage | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 5-8 | 4-10 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationFindability | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation | InnovationPrototypeResearch | Information architectureNavigationStructure |