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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 for Mad Sad Glad
Agile
Mad Sad Glad
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's or workshop's mood needs to become readable, it structures emotional signals with little setup. It makes strain, relief, and sources of energy tangible.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighLow
Timedifferent
15-30 min2-8 h30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
2-62-83-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresProblem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk PlanEmotion Board, Themes, Action Items
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations
RetrospectiveTeamReflection
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A structured reflection surfaces what was liked, learned, lacked, and longed for. It is a conversation format and does not validate actions automatically.
Agile
4Ls Retrospective
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration for Learning Review.
Operations
Learning Review
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis