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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations ABC Analysis |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |  Operations Barrier Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | With many similar objects of differing economic significance, the method prioritizes effort by effect. It separates what needs regular steering from what rarely needs attention. | For a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. | For a risk that can only be managed through multiple layers of protection, the method examines the effectiveness of each barrier. It shows where safeguards are missing, too weak, or fail under real conditions. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 30-60 min | 2-8 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 1-5 | 2-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | ABC Classification, Focus Rules, Control List | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | PrioritizationOperationsPortfolio | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | Root causeSafetyIncident |