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 |  Innovation Contradiction Analysis |  Operations Barrier Analysis |  Innovation TRIZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When a system should improve while another measure suffers as a result, the method makes the underlying conflict precisely formulable. It separates the desired effect from its side effect. This makes solutions possible that address the contradiction deliberately instead of half-heartedly. | 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 technical contradictions or trade-offs, the method looks for solutions that resolve opposing requirements at the same time. It translates limits into an explicit picture of conflict that becomes workable. This produces not just compromises but more elegant principles. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 60-120 min | 2-4 h | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 2-8 | 2-6 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Contradiction Statement, Abstraction Notes, Solution Principles, Concept Ideas | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Contradiction Statement, Inventive Principles, Solution Concepts |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | ContradictionsInnovationProblem solving | Root causeSafetyIncident | InnovationProblem solvingContradictionsCreativity |