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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
A hypothetical failure makes concrete risks, signals, and fitting mitigations visible.
Decision Making
Pre-Mortem
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
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.In early initiatives with many uncertainties, planning quickly turns too optimistic. A pre-mortem makes the expected failure visible in advance and sharpens the view of causes, gaps, and countermeasures.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.For a process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowHighHigh
Timedifferent
15-30 min20–45 min1-6 Wochen2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
2-6Small cross-functional group4-103-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresRisk list, Mitigation plan, Assumption log8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action PlanFMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
RiskDecisionFailurePlanning
QualityProblem solvingRoot cause
RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause
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