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Criterion
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
Design Thinking as a learning loop: an observation notebook, a focused problem statement, different idea sketches, a cardboard prototype and user-test notes. Feedback leads to new understanding.
Innovation
Design Thinking
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 complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service.
Complexitydifferent
LowHigh
Timedifferent
15-30 min1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen
Participantsdifferent
2-64-10
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresProblem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
InnovationPrototypeResearch
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration of Barrier Analysis with its method-specific working model.
Operations
Barrier Analysis