When the design team understands that it is facing a problem that is suitable for the card sorting method, it needs to move quickly--the issues often impact the global structure of the product or the organization of key data elements and features. This dependency can delay concept development.

Typical planning steps for the formulation of research objectives for the card sorting method include:

1. State the design problem.
2. Determine who will participate in the research--internal stakeholders or potential users.
3. Determine whether the research should be facilitated by a person or automated; plan the logistics accordingly.
4. Based on decisions made using the preceding steps, create the cards--physical or using software.
5. Run the activity.
6. Analyze and present results, and come to an agreement on approach.