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| Criterion | ![]() Operations 5 Whys | ![]() Agile Mad Sad Glad | ![]() Operations 8D Problem Solving | ![]() Agile 4Ls Retrospective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 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. | For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly. | When a sprint should not only be assessed but also learned from, it captures experience in clear learning categories. It records what worked, what's missing, and what should run differently next time. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 30-60 min | 1-6 Wochen | 45–75 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-10 | 4-10 | Team members involved |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Emotion Board, Themes, Action Items | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan | 4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement Actions |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | RetrospectiveTeamReflection | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause | RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam |



