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Contextual inquiry is a user-centered design (UCD) method, part of the contextual design
methodology, that happens up front in the software development
lifecycle. It calls for one-on-one observations of work practice in its
naturally occurring context. During or after the observations,
discussion ensues wherein users’ daily routines or processes are
discovered so that a product or website can be best designed to either
work with the processes or help to shorten or eliminate them
altogether. Contextual inquiry comprises preparation, evaluation,
analysis, and design phases.
