View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Decision Making Assumption Surfacing |  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. | Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it. | 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 | 45-90 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 2-8 | 2-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Assumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
