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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Barrier Analysis |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |
|---|---|---|---|
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 disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 2-4 h | 2-8 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 2-6 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan |
Tags1 shared | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Root causeSafetyIncident | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations |
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