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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations After-Action Review |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 20-45 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-12 | 2-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | LearningOperationsImprovement | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations |
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
