methodatlas
Session Builder

Plan my session

Plan a concrete work block with agenda, roles, preparation, and a copyable result artifact.

Async work run24 to 72 hasynchronousFindability Metrics

Session: Tree Testing

The plan distributes preparation, review, and outcome work across an asynchronous work run. Your inputs flow directly into the session brief and work artifact.

Derived automatically

Async work run with 10-30. The plan uses the existing method logic and the runsheet.

Runsheet
Participation logic
Team round, shared work and alignment

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome logic
Finish artifact

The session works directly toward Findability Metrics. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

  1. 1

    Prepare brief

    15-30 min

    Prepare the working question, input, target artifact, and review deadline for Tree Testing. Link relevant data, sources, and existing artifacts.

    OwnerSession brief
  2. 2

    Work asynchronously

    24 to 72 h

    Participants work through the method along the template. Focus: add contributions directly to the artifact, mark assumptions, and link evidence.

    ParticipantsFindability Metrics
  3. 3

    Consolidate review

    20-30 min

    Cluster comments, contradictions, and open questions. Sort unclear points into decisions, risks, or follow-ups.

    FacilitatorReview notes
  4. 4

    Finalize artifact

    15-30 min

    Create the integrated version, set status, and schedule the next review or decision point.

    OwnerPath Analysis
  5. 5

    Publish artifact

    10 min

    Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients.

    OwnerFindability Metrics
Usable artifact

Session Brief

For invitations, boards, tickets, PR descriptions, or workshop notes.

session-brief.md

Session Brief: Tree Testing

Goal

Artifact: Findability Metrics

Working Question

Can participants find the correct answers in the proposed navigation structure, and which paths lead them astray?

Context

IA structure as tree with all nodes and leaf nodes; task list with target paths; hypotheses (which tasks likely fail); target-group demographics.

Setup

  • Format: Async work run
  • Duration: 24 to 72 h
  • Mode: asynchronous
  • Participants: One UX researcher as owner; recruiter for 15-30 participants per variant; optional stakeholder for task validation; notes recipient in the team.
  • Owner: One UX researcher as owner
  • Participation mode: Team round, shared work and alignment
  • Outcome logic: Finish artifact

Participation Logic

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome Logic

The session works directly toward Findability Metrics. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

Tree-testing tool (Treejack by Optimal Workshop, UserZoom, Maze); tree structure as JSON or CSV; tasks with target path marked; survey setup; recruiting link.

Preparation

Build tree in the tool (all nodes exactly as planned). Formulate tasks: concrete search task, do NOT name category. Pilot with 2-3 people. Main run with 15-30 participants (more for variant comparison).

Agenda

  1. Prepare brief (15-30 min) Owner: Owner Action: Prepare the working question, input, target artifact, and review deadline for Tree Testing. Link relevant data, sources, and existing artifacts. Output: Session brief

  2. Work asynchronously (24 to 72 h) Owner: Participants Action: Participants work through the method along the template. Focus: add contributions directly to the artifact, mark assumptions, and link evidence. Output: Findability Metrics

  3. Consolidate review (20-30 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Cluster comments, contradictions, and open questions. Sort unclear points into decisions, risks, or follow-ups. Output: Review notes

  4. Finalize artifact (15-30 min) Owner: Owner Action: Create the integrated version, set status, and schedule the next review or decision point. Output: Path Analysis

  5. Publish artifact (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients. Output: Findability Metrics

Closeout

  • Update result artifact: Findability Metrics
  • Define location, version, and review recipients.
  • Define owner, next step, and review date.
Usable artifact

Work artifact

Pre-filled starting point based on the matching template.

work-artifact.md

Findability Metrics: Tree Testing

Working Question

Can participants find the correct answers in the proposed navigation structure, and which paths lead them astray?

Context

IA structure as tree with all nodes and leaf nodes; task list with target paths; hypotheses (which tasks likely fail); target-group demographics.

Participants

  • Owner: One UX researcher as owner
  • Participants: One UX researcher as owner; recruiter for 15-30 participants per variant; optional stakeholder for task validation; notes recipient in the team.

Input

Tree-testing tool (Treejack by Optimal Workshop, UserZoom, Maze); tree structure as JSON or CSV; tasks with target path marked; survey setup; recruiting link.

Template

Tree Testing Canvas

Context

What is this method used for?

Core question

Which question should be answered at the end?

Input

Which data, observations, or materials are available?

Working area

  • Area 1:
  • Area 2:
  • Area 3:
  • Relationships / patterns:

Output artifacts

  • Findability Metrics:
  • Path Analysis:
  • Revised IA:

Open questions

  • ...

Next step

Owner, date, success signal.

Completion Check

  • Findability Metrics is complete enough for review:
  • Location:
  • Version / status:
  • Review by:
  • Next step:

Next Step

  • Review result
  • Mark open questions
  • Schedule review or decision
Template base

Tree Testing Working Template

View templateCompact working template for Tree Testing with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
canvas

tree-testing-working-template.md

Compact working template for Tree Testing with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.

Tree Testing Canvas

Context

What is this method used for?

Core question

Which question should be answered at the end?

Input

Which data, observations, or materials are available?

Working area

  • Area 1:
  • Area 2:
  • Area 3:
  • Relationships / patterns:

Output artifacts

  • Findability Metrics:
  • Path Analysis:
  • Revised IA:

Open questions

  • ...

Next step

Owner, date, success signal.

Ready to use when
  • Working question, owner, and target artifact are visible.
  • The result fits Findability Metrics.
  • Own test run per tree version with date. Explicitly document comparison between versions (improvement per task in percentage points). Store tree snapshots as JSON export in repo so IA history remains traceable.
  • Open questions are noted as follow-ups.
  • The next review or decision point is scheduled.
ProfileRunsheet