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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Operations Process 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 there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions. | With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 30-120 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 2-6 | 3-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | LeanObservationProcessOperations | ProcessOperationsImprovement |
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