View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Root Cause Analysis |  Systems Thinking Current Reality Tree |
|---|---|---|---|
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 problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another. | A Current Reality Tree condenses many symptoms into a few causal chains. The method makes visible which core problems drive several negative effects at once. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 1-4 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-8 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan | Current Reality Tree, Core Problems, Intervention Ideas |
Tags1 shared | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident | Systems thinkingRoot causeConstraintsCausality |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
