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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 for Kepner-Tregoe
Operations
Kepner-Tregoe
A paper-based illustration representing Brainstorming with its core stages and visible working result.
Innovation
Brainstorming
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 disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations.When a team faces an open question with many obvious directions, the method first creates breadth instead of premature commitment. It separates idea flow from evaluation and makes lines of thought visible, creating a pool for selection and further development.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighLow
Timedifferent
15-30 min2-8 h30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
2-62-84-12
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresProblem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk PlanIdea pool, Theme clusters, Shortlist
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations
BrainstormingIdeationCreativityWorkshopDivergence
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Often compared together

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

Paper illustration of the Lotus Blossom working structure.
Innovation
Lotus Blossom
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration of the Lightning Decision Jam working structure.
Facilitation
Decision Jam
Paper illustration of Design Charrette with its method-specific working model.
Innovation
Design Charrette