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| Criterion |  UX Research Tree Testing |  UX Research Usability Testing |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|
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 a product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 1-2 h je Session | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | Based on research question | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Findability Metrics, Path Analysis, Revised IA | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | 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 |
Tagsno overlap | Information architectureNavigationFindability | ValidationUXPrototype | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality |
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