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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Barrier Analysis |  Operations Family Tree 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. | 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. | For a series of incidents with a similar pattern, the method arranges individual events as branches of a common origin. It makes visible which conditions keep recurring. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 2-4 h | 2-4 h |
Participantssame | 2-6 | 2-6 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Family Tree Diagram, Pattern Notes, Systemic Measures |
Tags2 shared | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Root causeSafetyIncident | Root causePatternsIncidentSystemic |
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