methodatlas
UX Research

Card Sorting

Turns observations, needs, and patterns into a tangible result through preparing cards, choosing open or closed sorting, and refining the IA.

Core question
How do people naturally group and label these items?
LowWorkshop + async20-45 min
Open runsheetPlan sessionStart comparison
Purpose

The method helps clarify observations, needs, and patterns concretely. It groups observations into patterns, questions, and decisions. The outcome is captured as content groups, a label set, and IA hypotheses.

How it works

The team follows the steps: prepare cards, choose open or closed sort, collect and compare the sorting, analyze clusters, and refine the information architecture. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, content groups, a label set, and IA hypotheses are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.

Visual orientation

Method sketch for a quick mental model.

Card Sorting · InformationsarchitekturInhaltskarten sortieren, Muster erkennen und Navigation oder Taxonomie daraus ableiten
Card SortingInhaltskarten werden von Nutzenden gruppiert, benannt und als Hypothese für Navigation oder Taxonomie ausgewertet.Mentale Modelle in Gruppen und Labels übersetzenNutzende sortieren Inhaltskarten, Muster werden zu Navigation, Taxonomie und Label-Hypothesen.sortierenCluster prüfenInhaltskartenBegriffe, Seiten, AufgabenPreiseSupportTeamsSicherheitTeilnehmende sortierenOpen: Labels frei, Closed: Labels vorgegebenOpen Sortfrei benanntPreiseTarifeClosed SortvorgegebenSupportHilfeIA-HypotheseNavigation aus Mustern ableitenKaufenPreise, TarifeVerwaltenTeams, SicherheitHilfeSupport, FAQ

Flow

  1. 1Prepare cards
  2. 2Choose open or closed sort
  3. 3Collect sortings
  4. 4Analyze clusters
  5. 5Refine IA

The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.

Open runsheet

Ideal for

  • Navigation design
  • Content organization
  • Labeling

Not good for

  • Visual design critique
  • Behavior strategy

Deep dive

In detail

Card sorting makes visible how people mentally organize information. Content, functions, or topics are prepared as individual cards. In an open sort, participants create their own groups and assign labels; in a closed sort, they place cards into predefined categories. The results are compared to derive stable clusters, ambiguous terms, and possible navigation structures.

Facilitation

Prepare a clear prompt, the right inputs, and a visible workspace. Plan about 20-45 minutes with 5-15 people and use the format either in a workshop or asynchronously. The facilitation stays lightweight; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.

Output artifacts
Content groupsLabel setIA hypotheses
Tags
IAtaxonomynavigationstructure

Sources

Card Sorting: Uncover Users' Mental Models - NN/Gnngroup.com
Artifact templates
Card Sorting Working TemplateCompact working template for Card Sorting with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
markdown

card-sorting-working-template.md

Compact working template for Card Sorting with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.

Card Sorting Working Template

Goal

Shows how users group and label content.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Execution

Short notes along the runsheet.

Output artifacts

  • Content Groups:
  • Label Set:
  • IA Hypotheses:

Assumptions and open questions

  • ...

Decision / Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

When to choose differently

Short decision aid for existing alternatives.

Tree Testing

Statt Card Sorting, wenn du mit Tree Testing eine vorhandene Informationsarchitektur auf Findbarkeit ohne visuelles Interface testen willst.

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