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| Criterion |  UX Research Tree Testing |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture C4 Model |  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. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | The C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. | 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 | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 1-2 h | 1-4 h | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 3-10 | 1-5 | Based on research question |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationFindability | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | Information architectureNavigationStructure |