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| Criterion |  Agile 4Ls Retrospective |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Operations 5 Whys |  Agile Mad Sad Glad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a sprint should not only be assessed but also learned from, it captures experience in clear learning categories. It records what worked, what's missing, and what should run differently next time. | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. | When a team's or workshop's mood needs to become readable, it structures emotional signals with little setup. It makes strain, relief, and sources of energy tangible. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 45–75 min | 1-3 h | 15-30 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | Team members involved | 2-8 | 2-6 | 3-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | 4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement Actions | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Emotion Board, Themes, Action Items |
Tagsno overlap | RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | RetrospectiveTeamReflection |