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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
Process Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Operations
Process Mapping
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.With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots.
Complexitydifferent
LowMedium
Timedifferent
15-30 min1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
2-63-10
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresProcess Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
ProcessOperationsImprovement
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Paper illustration for Kepner-Tregoe
Operations
Kepner-Tregoe
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis