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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 of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D 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.An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumHigh
Timedifferent
15-30 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung1-6 Wochen
Participantsdifferent
2-63-20 Reviewer4-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
QualityProblem solvingRoot cause
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Often compared together

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

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