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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 Mad Sad Glad
Agile
Mad Sad Glad
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
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 a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowMedium
Timedifferent
15-30 min30-60 min45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
2-63-102-5
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresEmotion Board, Themes, Action ItemsA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
RetrospectiveTeamReflection
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
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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
Paper illustration for Kepner-Tregoe
Operations
Kepner-Tregoe
Paper illustration for Learning Review.
Operations
Learning Review
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis