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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Facilitation Expectation Mapping |  Operations Root Cause Analysis |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. | When a problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 45-90 min | 1-4 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-12 | 3-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |