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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
Four paper stations connect system purpose, quality goals, risk cards and focused investigation with a target and gap profile.
Architecture
LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
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.LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail.An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable.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
MediumMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
1-2 Tage3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional15-45 min20-45 min
Participantsdifferent
Based on research question1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people1-3Based on research question
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IALean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checksADR File, Decision Log, RationaleContent groups, Label set, IA hypotheses
Tagsno overlap
Information architectureNavigationFindability
ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
Information architectureNavigationStructure
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