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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
Paper illustration of Decision Rights Mapping with its method-specific working model.
Decision Making
Decision Rights 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.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.In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighMedium
Timedifferent
15-30 min2-8 h90-180 min
Participantsdifferent
2-62-84-12
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresProblem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk PlanDecision Rights Matrix, Agreement
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations
DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility
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Often compared together

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

A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration of an activity-role table with clear RACI assignments and one highlighted accountable role per activity.
Operations
RACI Matrix
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis