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| Criterion |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  UX Research First-click Testing |  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. | SAAM helps teams judge an architecture’s suitability for selected tasks and changes. It is particularly useful for examining modifiability and comparing architecture alternatives with clear reasoning. | When users immediately turn the wrong way on a screen or wireframe, first click testing checks initial orientation at high speed. The first click shows early whether expectation, labeling, and wayfinding fit together. | 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 | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-2 Tage | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 10-30 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Domain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternatives | Click Heatmap, Success Rate, Design Recommendations | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationFindability | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | UXNavigationFindabilityValidation | Information architectureNavigationStructure |