View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Innovation Lean Startup |  Product Discovery Smoke Test |
|---|---|---|---|
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 uncertain business assumptions, the method forces the idea into contact with real market reactions early. It separates wishful picture, assumption, and observable behavior, so that learning becomes faster than planning. This translates uncertainty into measurable insight. | When demand only needs to be roughly verified, it tests interest with minimal effort. It measures whether people would take a next step at all. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | Wochen bis Monate je Lernzyklus | 1-5 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 2-8 | Nutzertraffic |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Hypothesis list, MVPs, Learning reports, Pivot or persevere decision | Interest Metrics, Conversion Signal, Learning Note |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | LeanStartupValidationMVP | ValidationExperimentsDemandGrowth |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
