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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Causal Factor 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 an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions |
Tags2 shared | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline |
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
