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Selected:Tree TestingLASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)Architecture Decision RecordCard Sorting
| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Tree Testing | ![]() Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() 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 | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional | 15-45 min | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people | 1-3 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Lean 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 checks | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationFindability | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | Information architectureNavigationStructure |



