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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
Paper illustration of Family Tree Analysis with its method-specific working model.
Operations
Family Tree Analysis
Paper illustration for TRIZ
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.For a series of incidents with a similar pattern, the method arranges individual events as branches of a common origin. It makes visible which conditions keep recurring.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
LowMediumHigh
Timedifferent
15-30 min2-4 h1-4 h
Participantsdifferent
2-62-62-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresFamily Tree Diagram, Pattern Notes, Systemic MeasuresContradiction Statement, Inventive Principles, Solution Concepts
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
Root causePatternsIncidentSystemic
InnovationProblem solvingContradictionsCreativity
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Often compared together

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

Paper illustration for Contradiction Analysis.
Innovation
Contradiction Analysis
Paper illustration of MORT Analysis with its method-specific working model.
Operations
MORT Analysis
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving